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    Eight Hundred Grapes
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    Eight Hundred Grapes
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    Eight Hundred Grapes
    Audiobook8 hours

    Eight Hundred Grapes

    Written by Laura Dave

    Narrated by Laurence Bouvard

    3.5/5

    ()

    Unavailable in your country

    Unavailable in your country

    About this audiobook

    There are secrets you share, and secrets you hide… A heartbreaking, funny, and deeply evocative novel about love, marriage, family, wine, and the treacherous terrain in which they meet.

    For everyone who loved Brothers and Sisters.

    My mother said it simply: ‘Be careful what you give up’
    ‘Because you can’t get it back?’
    ‘No.’ She squeezed my shoulder. ‘Because, eventually, you get it back any way you can.’

    Georgia Ford, associate at a lop LA law firm, has built a solid life for herself away from her childhood spent in the beautiful surroundings of her parents’ Californian vineyard. The life of a winemaker was too precarious, too heartbreaking and unpredictable for her.

    But just a week before her wedding to her beloved Ben, a secret is revealed that changes everything.

    Returning to the family vineyard, Georgia just wants to throw herself into the grape harvest with her long-married parents, her inseparable twin brothers, and everything familiar. But the foundations of Georgia’s ideas about love and happiness are shaken as she realises that her parents’ long marriage is not quite the picture perfect relationship she had always assumed it was. And neither is her brothers’ easy-going camaraderie.

    As the last harvest draws to a close, Georgia discovers that in the time she’s been away, the vineyard has settled into a rhythm of its own, and it’s the people who tend to it who are struggling to keep their roots.

    In ways she never imagined, her whole life is unravelling, and it’s up to Georgia to bring everyone through the storm…

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateJul 30, 2015
    ISBN9780008129392
    Unavailable
    Eight Hundred Grapes
    Author

    Laura Dave

    Laura Dave is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Thing He Told Me, Eight Hundred Grapes, and other novels. Her work has been published in thirty-eight countries. The Last Thing He Told Me has sold three million copies and is now a limited series on Apple TV+. She resides in Santa Monica, California.

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    Reviews for Eight Hundred Grapes

    3.5/5

    244 ratings35 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Digital audiobook narrated by Joy Osmanski.From the book jacket: Growing up on her family’s Sonoma County vineyard, Georgia Ford learned some important secrets. The secret number of grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine: eight hundred. The secret ingredient in her mother’s lasagna: chocolate. But just a week before her wedding, thirty-year-old Georgia discovers her beloved fiancé has been keeping a secret so explosive, it will change their lives forever. My reactions:I had read Dave’s The Last Thing He Told Me with my F2F book club last year and thought it was a decent thriller. This one piqued my interest because of the setting in the Sonoma Valley, and the book jacket blurb led me to believe it would be a lighter, romantic read. There IS some romance involved … but …Georgia turns out to be a bit more complex that I originally gave her credit for. The book DOES start out with her running out of her wedding-dress fitting … still wearing the dress. Shocked by the discovery of her fiancé’s secret she immediately heads home to her family’s winery, only to discover disarray. She puts her skills as a lawyer to use in an effort to help the family, but what she really wants for her life will take some serious thinking. Should she go ahead with the wedding, now that Ben has explained? How can she help her parents, and her brothers with the winery and with their lives?The resolution of the difficulties has to wait for a few more twists and turns and complications, but the ending is still satisfying in a chick-lit romance sort of way. Not exactly tied up in a pretty bow … but the ribbon is there. Joy Osmanski does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. She has clear diction and sets a good pace.
    • 3/5
      I feel torn about the rating for this book, which probably truly clocks in at 3.5 stars. For a decent part of this novel, I felt slightly annoyed with its protagonist, Georgia. Georgia returns to her parents' home in disgrace a few days before her wedding, after finding out her fiance has been keeping a crazy secret from her.

      Her parents' home is a vineyard in California, where Georgia grew up with her older twin brothers, Finn and Bobby. She expects to find the comfort she always experienced as a kid (but also ran away from - she's very clear that she left the vineyard for a life as a more glamorous lawyer). But upon arriving home, she finds that no one is really happy -- not her parents, not Bobby and his wife, and not Finn.Yet, she finds herself longing for life at the vineyard more and more, even as everything is falling apart around her. Hmm.

      There are several plotlines in this novel that, when combined, all seem a little ludicrous. Georgia's fiance Ben's secret involves a movie star. The crazy issues between the brothers. The problems and arrangement between her parents. What happens with the vineyard. Even the ending. One or two of the storylines, perhaps, I would have found more believable. All together, it is a bit much. Add in Georgia's constant vacillating (I'm getting married! I'm not! I am!), and it gets to be a bit old.

      However, I have to cut Georgia some slack, as I realize, despite the lawyerly job and upcoming wedding, she's young, and she has had quite a shock. She eventually grew on me a bit as the storyline progressed and she herself grew up a bit. And, as silly and as "neat" (as in, neatly tied up) the ending was, it warmed my heart a bit and made me end the book on a good note.

      Still, I think I may pick up a Michael Jordan biography next. I'm a little tired of flighty thirty-somethings! Time for a clever, genius, and sometimes angry athlete for a change of pace.
    • 3/5
      Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave
      260 pages

      ★★★

      Georgia Ford shows up at her parent’s vineyard unexpectedly, just a week before she is supposed to get married. She has a lot of thinking to do and assumes the vineyard is the perfect place to be, until his brothers, parents, and EVERYONE comes in with their own drama.

      Oh boy. I really wanted to like this book. I will say it kept my interest, if anything to see what train wreck would occur next and there was a lot of wreckage to happen for such a small book (coming in at 260 pages). The drama was just a bit over the top for me, the characters were flat - I didn’t like most of them to be honest, and the ending was just far too cliché and I literally rolled my eyes in the last several pages. On the plus side, it was short so it didn’t take that much time or brain power to plow through this one. And I did read through it fast enough to see what Georgia would pick out of curiosity (although, it was as I expected). This would make a fabulous Lifetime movie I must admit. I can see how people could find this book appealing but it just wasn’t the one for me.

    • 4/5
      When Georgia looks out the window of the bridal salon and sees her fiancé Ben walking with his ex-girlfriend and a small child, she decides to flee Los Angeles and return to her family vineyard in Northern CA. There, she finds some shocking things about her family-her parents are taking a break, her twin brothers are having issues over the same woman, and the vineyard is being sold to a family that Georgia believes will destroy what her family built. As her life is falling apart, Georgia needs to make some decisions and in doing so learns about love and being there for each other.Quick read, enjoyable.
    • 3/5
      Overall, this novel made for light and fun reading. Georgia Ford returns home to her family's vineyard after she discovers a secret her finance has been keeping and finds her family in crisis. She quickly takes up the fight to save the family vineyard, all while uncovering more family secrets, some of which play out with a degree of hilarity. Fun, but often this novel felt as though it was falling into a typical plot and common cliche of the genre.
    • 4/5
      I have been in a reading slump lately. This was the book I needed to get me out of it. Families can be complicated, difficult, strange, but they are ours. A lot of family dilemmas in this book, but thru it all, you could read the love. A thoroughly enjoyable read...weather at the beach, or home.
    • 4/5
      4.5 stars.

      Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave is a delightfully charming contemporary novel. Set against the backdrop of a Sonoma vineyard, it is a lovely story about family and love, but most importantly, it is a journey of self-discovery for the main protagonist.

      Georgia Ford's wedding is less than a week away when, at the final fitting for her gown, she discovers her fiancé Ben has been keeping a HUGE secret from her. She instinctively runs home to her family's vineyard where she is further stunned to learn that her parents and brothers have been keeping some very important news from her as well. With her entire world turned upside down, Georgia has a lot of decisions to make about her future while at the same trying to come to terms with the upcoming changes for her family.

      Georgia loves the family vineyard but after a few rocky years while she was growing up, she chose a different path for herself. She is a successful lawyer on the verge of marrying and moving to Britain when everything falls apart around her. She hopes that returning home will give her the distance she needs from Ben to figure out what comes next for them, but instead of being able to fully concentrate on her own problems, she is swept up in her family's drama as well.

      Initially, Georgia's solution to her problems with Ben is avoidance, but after he grows weary of being ignored, he unexpectedly shows up at the vineyard in an effort to fix their relationship. Ben's explanation for keeping his secret is reasonable, but Georgia still harbors a few misgivings that he is being completely honest with her. A delicate dance ensues between them as they tentatively agree to move forward with their nuptials, but as their wedding date approaches, Georgia is still uncertain about whether she is making the right decision.

      Eight Hundred Grapes is a very heartwarming novel that is quite captivating. The characters are multi-faceted with believable issues to overcome. The various relationships are realistically depicted and although the family bonds are a little strained, their love and support for one another is unwavering. The setting is absolutely perfect and Laura Dave brings the vineyard and surrounding countryside vibrantly to life. All in all, it is light-hearted read with serious undertones that fans of contemporary fiction are going to love.
    • 4/5
      Georgia discovers that her fiance has been hiding parts of his life from her so she escapes home where she knows where she stands ... except that even her family are hiding things from her. I could relate to Georgia's difficulty in coping with being kept in the dark. How she comes to resolve her relationships with her fiance and her parents in particular makes the story most compelling. She is wishy washy at times, but she eventually gets there.
    • 3/5
      The book was okay. I felt connected enough to finish the book, but I found myself not caring much what happened to the characters. I loved the setting and found the bits about winemaking interesting. Maybe I'd like a trip to Sebastopol.
    • 5/5
      Georgia is at her final wedding gown fitting when she spots her fiancé walking down the street with a woman and child. Learning that her fiancé has been less than open with her, she runs back to her childhood home only to learn that her parents are splitting and selling their family vineyard to a competitor. Georgia has a lot to sort out.I enjoyed this book. There are a lot of family secrets that come out when Georgia returns home. Accusations are made and Georgia has to face up to some of them as others in the family have to face up to theirs. It makes for interesting reading as Georgia keeps putting her problems on the back burner to deal with others' problems only to have them force her to face her own problems. She needed their insights.I liked most of the characters but not all. I wasn't crazy about her fiancé, her brother Bobby, or her mother. They were not warm, fussy people. The ending is what was right for Georgia.
    • 4/5
      The story was good but again the audible version had a narrator that I wasn't a fan of. But the story was enjoyable and kept me entertained.
    • 5/5
      "A novel - a small tale, generally of love = Dr. Johnson's DICTIONARY"Adding to all the great reviews, I loved reading this book the first two timesand will save it for more Good Feeling reading. Yes, both Georgia, her brothers, and her parents' endings were too wrapped up:it would have been more welcome to leave an opening for a sequel, without Ben,seeing if Dad could really give up making sure she got the right help and givingGeorgia and Jacob some real challenges before a Happy Ending.A truly great introduction to American wine making!
    • 5/5
      I am so thrilled when I come across a previously unknown to me author, a 5-star book, that just takes me by surprise. One I immediately purchase, recommend and gift to friends, reread, and put that author on my 'must-read' list. Often it is something intangible, but it all comes together in a sublime wonderful read. Eight Hundred Grapes is about family, relationships, second chances. The characters relationship with the land is inextricably wound into the story, making the location a quiet presence. Well done, and thank you Laura Dave!
    • 3/5
      One week before Georgia Ford's wedding, she learns a secret about her fiancé that sends her fleeing back to the comfort of her parents' California vineyard home. But when she gets there, she discovers that her various family members all have drama of their own going on.This book was a solid meh for me. It's not awful or anything, but I just never managed to care much about either the characters' winemaking business or their relationship issues, and I found too many of the details and events of the story a bit too contrived. Possibly I might have enjoyed it at least a little more if I had any actual interest in wine, but, honestly, I barely even drink the stuff, so all the loving details about organic grape-growing were pretty much lost on me.
    • 4/5
      This is a wonderful book. I loved the story and twists along the way to the end.
    • 3/5
      (There are spoilers in this review) Better than your average chick lit. I really enjoyed the discussion of winemaking and the growth of Sonoma County and related to abandoning a growing legal career (I did the same.) In the end though, this was a pretty irritating tale of a woman with few real problems who turns every choice and issue into her personal melodrama. Two amazing guys are interested in me what shall I do?! My boyfriend had a secret baby with a movie star (?!?) conceived before he ever met me and waited a few months to tell me! His whole life changed, but I will never ask him how he is doing because clearly this is all about me. My parents are splitting up and though I am an adult with a house and a job I still make this all about me! My parents sold our family home and business and though I am an adult with a home and a job I still make this all about me as well! My brothers are in a serious fight about something that has nothing to do with me, and yet I can make this all about me too! This is why I don't read chick lit, the protagonists are always so self involved, their vision so small, I can never seem to care how their lives turn out.
    • 4/5
      Eight Hundred Grapes is a delightful novel with the incredible setting in the wine-making area of California. It's an easy, light read about family relationships, romance, and scenery but, most importantly, it's about running a vineyard and what it takes to make high-quality wine. You will learn a lot about wine and the love some winemakers have about producing it. This is either a well-researched book or the author grew up in that area and knows a great deal about wine production.This novel had a nice flow and interesting, well-developed characters. Laura Dave is a new author for me and I think I'd enjoy her other works. 4 Stars.
    • 4/5
      I received this ARC from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review.
      I was immediately drawn to this book when I read the summary. From the moment I started reading it I was hooked. The opening chapter gives a great introduction to the chapters and really sparked my interest. I just had to keep reading to find out what was going on with Georgia. Each of the characters had very distinct personalities. All of the scenarios faced by the characters feel very real. Even though Georgia is the main character, I felt like all of her family members were main characters. They were each going through their own problems and trying to get through it. There are elements of romance but it was much more than just your typical romance. The family struggles were my favorite parts of the book. I kept hoping and hoping that everything would work out for each and every one of them. The author does a fantastic job of getting the reader to become emotionally involved in her characters. This was a great story from beginning to end. I will be recommending this book to my friends and family.
    • 3/5
      Predictable but pretty thoroughly enjoyable. I loved Laura Dave's rich descriptions of wine country and winemaking itself.
    • 5/5
      Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura DaveStarts out with Georgia Ford and she recalls her parents first meeting. The vineyard she grew up with and she runs home to, only to find things not normal.She had just learned something about her fiance that will break them up-there are to be married in a weeks time. At her parents she finds her mother there, but not her father...Love learning what 800 grapes title means. Story also follows her mother, cello player and her lover a famous conductor. She wanders the fields looking for her father who's doing the harvest this year.All the chores to be done to the grapes are described. After she talks to her father and brother she learns more new things that she never expected to hear about. There are things she didn't know about her brothers also, as if she had lived under a rock for the past several years.She's a lawyer and feels comfort in going home, to confront those about the sale. Jacob MacCarthy is the owner of the vineyard, who wants to buy the last straw vineyard. He tries to calm her down to discuss the contract.He had studied law but never practiced. He tries to diffuse her temper... Her furniture is on its way to London where she was to live and work at her companys office with her new husband...Stories arise from the past to help us understand the relationship each of the kids has with one another in the family...Ben tries methods to get Georgia to marry him still, as he visits the vineyard so they can talk more. With all the turmoil surrounding them it's anybody's guess as to what will happen.Like the drama of all the people's problems as they strive to fix them while losing the vineyard...Didn't see the major catastrophe coming.... or secrets that are now being told and who she ends up with...Brought tears to my eyes! This author writes as if you are there, she puts you there for yourself.I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
    • 4/5
      The main theme to Eight Hundred Grapes is that one horrible life experience can change the course of numerous lives.
      When Georgia runs into serious relationship trouble a week before her wedding she runs for the safety of her childhood home and finds that many of her loved one's lives are in shambles too. As Georgia navigates her own journey to self discovery, she begins to uncover the underlying troubles of some of the most important people in her life. Her journey is an amazing one, but the addition of all of the varied cast of characters is what makes this book such a pleasant read.
      Georgia came across as too childish for my taste for the first half of the book, but it was her actions that were most important to the outcome, so who am I to complain? Besides, it was essential to the story that she felt her way through some very important decisions that would impact so many, but very realistically, she didn't always recognize the power in that. I adored Jacob, and knew that I would from the moment that he broke onto the scene. He is just the real deal. Secondly, I enjoyed Georgia's parents who are wonderfully loving, patient, and were gifted in offering guidance in the most beautiful unobtrusive way.
      The descriptions and scene setting concerning the winery was nice, but a clear case of too much of a good thing. The wine making lingo and facts slowed the story done, especially in the first half.
      I anxiously awaited what direction Georgia would take, as well as her families. There was no telling for the longest time because Laura Dave wrote a book that seemed incredibly realistic, and we never know what decisions people will make and what the impact will be. Without giving anything away here, I will simply say that the end was complete, fulfilling, and absolutely beautiful.
    • 5/5
      Diese und weitere Rezensionen findet ihr auf meinem Blog Anima Libri - Buchseele

      „Ein wunderbares Jahr“ von Laura Dave ist so ein typischer – und absolut wundervoller – Gute-Laune-Wohlfühl Roman für den Sommer. Und das mit deutlich mehr Tiefgang, als man vielleicht erwarten würde, denn dieser Roman ist nicht nur eine leichtgängige, romantische Komödie, die Autorin verpackt in ihre unterhaltsame Geschichte auch einige wichtige Weisheiten darüber, dass es oft gerade das Unperfekte ist, dass das Leben besonders lebens- und liebenswert macht und das es meist dazu gehört Opfer zu bringen, um das zu erreichen, was man sich wünscht.

      Nur eine Woche vor ihrer Hochzeit erfährt Giogria, dass ihr Verlobter Ben ihr etwas vorenthalten hat und in der vermeintlich heilen Beziehung nicht alles eitel Sonnenschein ist. Prompt macht sie sich – eingehüllt ins noch nicht ganz fertige Brautkleid – auf den Weg zum Weingut ihrer Familie, in der Hoffnung, sich dort in die heile Welt ihrer Kindheit flüchten zu können, nur um festzustellen, dass es um diese ähnlich steht, wie um ihre Beziehung.

      Was folgt ist eine wundervoll erzählte Geschichte über die Liebe, das Leben und die Familie, über das Glück im Kleinen und Großen, über Ziele und Wünsche, die Wege zu diesen und die Hindernisse, die man überwinden muss. Dabei schafft es Laura Dave schnell den Leser immer tiefer in ihre Geschichte hineinzuziehen, ihn mit den Figuren, die alle vor ihren eigenen, aber auch vor gemeinsamen Problemen stehen, mitleiden und mitfiebern zu lassen, immer in der Hoffnung, dass am Ende alle ihren Weg zum Glück finden können.

      Mir hat Laura Daves „Ein wunderbares Jahr“ daher wahnsinnigen Spaß gemacht, es ist ein Roman, der mit Humor, Drama, Romantik und einer guten Portion Selbsterkenntnissen überzeugt: Die perfekte Lektüre für den Sommer, herrlich leicht und doch erfrischend anspruchsvoll!
    • 2/5
      I felt like I could have used a bottle of wine or two to spur me on to deal with the over sensitive and bickering family portrayed in the book. I never developed any connection with any of the characters and frankly did not care what happened to them at all. The family portrayed here cannot commit to anything and stick with it. Relationships break apart willy nilly because I think none of the characters have a clue what love is.
    • 4/5
      A blogging friend suggested this book. I found the story to be really true-to-life and 85% believable. The happily ever after ending was not believable for me. The story was true to the real emotions it takes to make "life" decisions. I was glad the characters did give each other some needed time. I am going to seek out this author again because I enjoyed her smooth writing style.
    • 4/5
      Georgia wants life to be perfect. She chose a career and a potential husband who would fulfill her goals. When she sees her fiance with another woman, her life begins to fall apart and she runs home to the family winery. She thinks that life will be perfect there like it was when she was growing up but she finds out that even at home, there are secrets and discontent. Georgia a little old to call this a 'coming of age' book but it is the story of someone who grows up and learns that life isn't all perfect and tidy and that sometimes the best parts of life are the things that you don't expect. I really enjoyed this book - not only the characters and the plot but also all of the information about growing grapes and making wine. Great read!
    • 4/5
      Eight hundred grapes. That’s how many grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine. Georgia Ford should know this; she grew up in her family’s vineyard. A week before her wedding, Georgia learns something about her fiance so upsetting that she returns to her family’s vineyard to regroup, and discovers that the family she thought so untroubled and secure just might have some difficulties of its own.This is a perfect read for summer. You know from page one that everyone is going to go through troubles, but that everything will be resolved by story’s end.
    • 4/5
      I was provided an Advance Reader Copy of his book by Simon & Schuster for an honest review.

      Georgia Ford shows up in her home in Sebastopol, California, after seeing her fiancé with another woman and a young child. She’s expecting her family to know how to help, to ground her and help her figure out how to move forward. However, each member of her family is already each having their own problems. To top off the multitude of issues in the Ford family, Georgia’s parents have decided to sell The Last Straw vineyard — where the children grew up, where their father became a well-known and successful winemaker. Georgia and the rest of the Fords need to figure out what they want in order to put their lives back into motion…but sometimes synchronicity is not so easy to find.

      This book was a fictional look at reality — life is not always pretty and decisions are not always easy to make. Georgia alway wants control and tries to fix other people’s problems before tackling her own, which makes her a somewhat unlikeable character until she decides to start working on herself. There are some colorful characters: Jacob, the owner of the winery buying the Ford vineyard; Finn, one Georgia’s twin older brothers; and even Maddie, Ben’s daughter that he just met. “Eight Hundred Grapes” is a story of wine and the family who makes it — a story of how you should be careful of what you give up, because you might not end up with the ending you want.
    • 5/5
      In Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave, the reader is transported to CA wine country in the little town of Sebastopol in Sonoma. Georgia Ford, at age 25, has left the familiar vineyard from which she was raised with her two brothers, to pursue a more stable and seemingly safe career in law. She returns home just a week before her wedding to find that her fiancé possesses a devastating secret that he failed to reveal to her. As synchronicity would have it, concurrently the other relationships in her family collapse as well, with her mom and dad moving in separate directions, and her two brothers at odds with each other. In addition to being smitten with a story about the beloved wine country, I was so moved with the dynamics within the Ford family, as each person faces choices toward finding happiness. This story definitely portrayed to me, that whatever choices one makes to secure the future, it must be the best choice for that moment, because synchronicity would demand that all circumstances be in alignment in order for that event to occur. Lighthearted, but still somewhat complex, I loved this story, as it moved me to tears on some occasions, and led me to reflect on my own relationships regarding the paths that I have taken.
    • 5/5
      Ok, so after page 8 I'm hooked and so into this book to have an immediate let down discovering it is only 250 pages! I wanted to quote all sorts of things, like the explanation of synchronization and fate and regret, but it's already been done on Goodreads reviews and that will make you read all the reviews. But most important read the book, it was FABULOUS! BTW I will quote the passage about regret on my Facebook, it was wonderful.
    • 4/5
      Georgia discovers a week before their wedding that her fiance has a four year old daughter that he he's not told her about. She returns to her family home on a vineyard seeking support, but finds that her father is selling the vineyard, her mother is seeing an old flame and her brothers have problems of their own. The ending to the opening chapter is excellent and I enjoyed this book overall. There were moments in the middle when I feared for how things would end, but ultimately it all seemed right. I liked Jacob's character and enjoyed the humour of Suzannah's perspective.