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The Villa
Sophia is the pride of the Giambelli clan and a vital player in the family's celebrated winery. But things are about to change at Villa Giambelli.
Family matriarch Tereza has announced a surprise merger with the MacMillan family's winery. As a savvy businesswoman, Sophia knows she must be ready for anything - but she isn't prepared for Tyler MacMillan. They've been ordered to work closely together to ensure the merger goes through smoothly. But as they toil together, both in and out of the fields, Sophia finds herself increasingly torn between professional rivalry and a powerful attraction.
And when the business and the family are threatened by disturbing acts of sabotage, Sophia realises her quest isn't just for dominance, but survival...
Family matriarch Tereza has announced a surprise merger with the MacMillan family's winery. As a savvy businesswoman, Sophia knows she must be ready for anything - but she isn't prepared for Tyler MacMillan. They've been ordered to work closely together to ensure the merger goes through smoothly. But as they toil together, both in and out of the fields, Sophia finds herself increasingly torn between professional rivalry and a powerful attraction.
And when the business and the family are threatened by disturbing acts of sabotage, Sophia realises her quest isn't just for dominance, but survival...
486 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 19, 2001
1934 people are currently reading
9167 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,209 books59.6k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,146 reviews
April 21, 2023
April 2023: 11 years later and this book still hits the NR sweet spot for me (though it is a bit long at nearly 400 pages). It's the perfect blend of mystery, romance, and family bonds (+ wine). Many thanks to Jess for the reminder of this book. I needed to re-read.
May 2012:I like this. A lot more then I thought I would. I usually try to avoid Nora Roberts because she's written so many and a lot of her books tend to be series/trilogies but I was recommended this one and as someone who has been to the vineyards of Napa Valley, I was much intrigued.
And this story was perfect. Before starting I didn't realize that Sophia and Tyler had known each other since they were kids, since their grandparents married 20 years ago. I didn't know that this story was going to have more then one love story, was going to be more then just wine, didn't know that there was going to be murder and mayhem with enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued. But mostly, I loved this book for the strong sense of family that runs through, of loyalty, of love for each other. The three generations of Giambelli women are very strong and sexy and loving and I adored that.
May 2012:I like this. A lot more then I thought I would. I usually try to avoid Nora Roberts because she's written so many and a lot of her books tend to be series/trilogies but I was recommended this one and as someone who has been to the vineyards of Napa Valley, I was much intrigued.
And this story was perfect. Before starting I didn't realize that Sophia and Tyler had known each other since they were kids, since their grandparents married 20 years ago. I didn't know that this story was going to have more then one love story, was going to be more then just wine, didn't know that there was going to be murder and mayhem with enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued. But mostly, I loved this book for the strong sense of family that runs through, of loyalty, of love for each other. The three generations of Giambelli women are very strong and sexy and loving and I adored that.
July 23, 2021
4.5 stars - A half star off for a little bit of dragging and a few moments of cheesiness, but overall, this was a great variant on a standalone La Nora! I'd describe this as an intergenerational family melodrama with strong romantic elements and a mystery suspense plot engine, and as a whole, this was just very sudsy and fun. It felt sort of like early 2000s dynasty and I was here for it
June 30, 2024
As always from this author an entertaining and very readable book .
The Villa is vintage Roberts, first published in 2001. It still reads the same way her current romantic/suspense novels do - her style is consistent over the years and very recognisable. The setting in the vineyards with a large, well off family is also standard but her stories are always well worth reading.
This is a long book but for that the reader gets three romances, a murder, some excellent family interactions, plenty of red herrings and a surprise ending. I enjoyed it very much.
The Villa is vintage Roberts, first published in 2001. It still reads the same way her current romantic/suspense novels do - her style is consistent over the years and very recognisable. The setting in the vineyards with a large, well off family is also standard but her stories are always well worth reading.
This is a long book but for that the reader gets three romances, a murder, some excellent family interactions, plenty of red herrings and a surprise ending. I enjoyed it very much.
September 5, 2025
Tereza Giambelli is the matriarch of a family renowned for their wines. Her husband, Eli MacMillan, owns the neighboring winery. Tereza and Eli have decided to merge their companies together and want the next generation to take over the reins. Tereza's granddaughter, Sophia Giambelli Avano, and Eli's grandson, Tyler MacMillan, will now work together to learn every aspect of the business, so they can take over in the future. Some family members and employees are upset by the announcement. They believe they should be next in line to head the company. This leads to back-stabbing and murder.
I shouldn't have waited so long to read this romantic suspense book by Nora Roberts. Even though I thought it was a bit bloated with descriptions of the vineyards and the things that go into making wine, I loved watching how the news of the merger impacted the many family members who work for the company. When someone turns up dead, there were many suspects to weed through. On top of that, we had two very interesting romances in this story. My rating: 4 Stars.
I shouldn't have waited so long to read this romantic suspense book by Nora Roberts. Even though I thought it was a bit bloated with descriptions of the vineyards and the things that go into making wine, I loved watching how the news of the merger impacted the many family members who work for the company. When someone turns up dead, there were many suspects to weed through. On top of that, we had two very interesting romances in this story. My rating: 4 Stars.
March 5, 2023
This is one of my very favorite Noras, it PERFECTLY balances two romances, has a great older character romance, does blended families and well voiced teen characters, a really fun push-pull not related romance, and has a pretty good mystery/suspense element to boot. Excellent choice to reread before I visit Noraland!!!
July 9, 2017
This book was like a 80's soap opera, and I couldn't stop reading. The beginning is a little overwhelming with the background and casts, but once the storyline gets underway, I devoured it. Tyler, like all NR heroes is amazing. I also appreciate the role reversal of Sophia and Tyler. I continue to love all things NR.
November 3, 2017
This is my only Nora Roberts read thus far. Since more of her works are part of a series, I wanted to try out a stand alone novel of hers.
The Villa is a story of three generation of strong women and the courageous struggle they go through to secure, advance and manage their flourishing family business.
Nora Roberts has a simple and easy writing style; her characters, both main and supporting are believable; and the plot was interesting enough. Although I could not say it is a great write, somehow it got on well with me.
The Villa is a story of three generation of strong women and the courageous struggle they go through to secure, advance and manage their flourishing family business.
Nora Roberts has a simple and easy writing style; her characters, both main and supporting are believable; and the plot was interesting enough. Although I could not say it is a great write, somehow it got on well with me.
Want to read
February 23, 2025DNF
May 9, 2014
It’s hard to like a story when I am irritated at the audiobook narrator.
The story would be better if reading the physical book. Don’t do the audiobook. The narrator Laurel Merlington ruins it. She didn’t give any warmth to the characters. It was as if they were giving orders all the time. Tyler was not sexy. I was tired of listening and just wanted it to be over. Aside from the narrator, the characters, events, and how things resolved were not as good as they could have been.
ABOUT THE NARRATOR Laurel Merlington:
I kept thinking of Dracula’s accent in a B-Movie. The family name was Giambelli. Most of the time the narrator would draw it out like Geeum-bellllllllll’-ee. That might be ok if an Italian person were speaking, but the narrator would say it during 3rd person narration and when U.S. born characters were speaking. A U.S. born teenager would not say it like that. The same happened with the name Theresa. Too many U.S. characters said the name as if they were Italian like Ta-rrrrrraaaayt’-za (rolling the r). It didn’t always fit.
I did not like the Bela Lugosi style accent the narrator used for ethnic Italians.
My favorite narrator Frank Muller read with a sense of wonder. This narrator did not. Sophia came off angry, cold, and brittle -- no vulnerability. She was not fun to watch. Theresa had no warmth. All her lines were demanding, ordering. In one scene Tyler’s “legs were stretched out, his voice lazy” but the narrator used an abrupt voice for him. And she never made Tyler sound sexy. When Tyler was saying things to Sophia like “I love you” it did not sound like he desired her.
I LIKED:
the relationship between Pilar and David and the parts with his teenagers – secondary stories.
OTHER BOOKS:
Nora Roberts is hit and miss with me. My favorites are: Carnal Innocence, Born in Fire, Angels Fall, The Witness, Northern Lights, and Sea Swept.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 16 hrs and 10 mins. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: the f-word once or twice. Number of sex scenes: about 5 vaguely described, plus references to others. Setting: current day mostly Northern California plus a little Venice, Italy. Book copyright: 2001. Genre: contemporary mystery romance.
The story would be better if reading the physical book. Don’t do the audiobook. The narrator Laurel Merlington ruins it. She didn’t give any warmth to the characters. It was as if they were giving orders all the time. Tyler was not sexy. I was tired of listening and just wanted it to be over. Aside from the narrator, the characters, events, and how things resolved were not as good as they could have been.
ABOUT THE NARRATOR Laurel Merlington:
I kept thinking of Dracula’s accent in a B-Movie. The family name was Giambelli. Most of the time the narrator would draw it out like Geeum-bellllllllll’-ee. That might be ok if an Italian person were speaking, but the narrator would say it during 3rd person narration and when U.S. born characters were speaking. A U.S. born teenager would not say it like that. The same happened with the name Theresa. Too many U.S. characters said the name as if they were Italian like Ta-rrrrrraaaayt’-za (rolling the r). It didn’t always fit.
I did not like the Bela Lugosi style accent the narrator used for ethnic Italians.
My favorite narrator Frank Muller read with a sense of wonder. This narrator did not. Sophia came off angry, cold, and brittle -- no vulnerability. She was not fun to watch. Theresa had no warmth. All her lines were demanding, ordering. In one scene Tyler’s “legs were stretched out, his voice lazy” but the narrator used an abrupt voice for him. And she never made Tyler sound sexy. When Tyler was saying things to Sophia like “I love you” it did not sound like he desired her.
I LIKED:
the relationship between Pilar and David and the parts with his teenagers – secondary stories.
OTHER BOOKS:
Nora Roberts is hit and miss with me. My favorites are: Carnal Innocence, Born in Fire, Angels Fall, The Witness, Northern Lights, and Sea Swept.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 16 hrs and 10 mins. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: the f-word once or twice. Number of sex scenes: about 5 vaguely described, plus references to others. Setting: current day mostly Northern California plus a little Venice, Italy. Book copyright: 2001. Genre: contemporary mystery romance.
November 24, 2015
Still good one :)
Great descriptions, steamy love scenes and mystery...
Recommendations ;)
Great descriptions, steamy love scenes and mystery...
Recommendations ;)
August 1, 2018
Cumple perfectamente su función. Entretenido, ligero y ameno, por lo que es ideal para leer entre libros más densos.
June 13, 2020
Nunca antes se me había hecho tan lento un libro de Nora Roberts. Es posible que sea porque es uno de los libros antiguos de ella, cuando al menos en mi opinión, los más recientes son los mejores (estoy pensando en La obsesión y Al atardecer). Le falta ese suspenso, esa necesidad que produce de descubrir quién es la persona detrás de todo.
Por otra parte, me parece que tiene un mayor componente familiar que las demás historias. Trata de la familia Giambelli, que maneja una enorme compañía que produce vino. Sophia y Tyler representan a la nueva generación, que se va a hacer cargo del manejo de la empresa, cuando empiezan los problemas. Hay alguien que quiere destruir la empresa, y depende de ellos y del resto de la familia evitarlo.
Por otra parte, me parece que tiene un mayor componente familiar que las demás historias. Trata de la familia Giambelli, que maneja una enorme compañía que produce vino. Sophia y Tyler representan a la nueva generación, que se va a hacer cargo del manejo de la empresa, cuando empiezan los problemas. Hay alguien que quiere destruir la empresa, y depende de ellos y del resto de la familia evitarlo.
June 29, 2020
I liked this! It maybe went on a little long, but sweeping family epics, yes please!
Owned physical book 2/2 for the month
Overall owned book 4/5 for the month
Owned physical book 2/2 for the month
Overall owned book 4/5 for the month
August 13, 2015
I was really itching for a solid romance novel with a good plot and good character and this delivered!!! It has everything! Italian family dramatics, shady business drama, murder!, family dramatics, two really good relationships that are developed and explored, a family where the women run things! I almost wanted more from Sophie/Tyler, because their UST was so good, that I wanted the same for RST, but that's honestly the smallest of personal quibbles I have. It was a really satisfying read. Also on the twists I was expecting to happen did so, but in a better way than expected that delighted me even more. A good read that'll probably stay in the comfort read pile.
April 25, 2023
April 2023: Reread because of Steph, and… I still don’t like it. It’s so chaotic - such a chapter of accidents - to the point where the villain feels almost cartoonishly competent - up until that last little twist which comes out of left field, completely ungrounded. Most of the characters do live, even if they all speak in that clipped, terse classic-Roberts dialogue, where it takes a while to sink into the world… I don’t know. This needs fewer catastrophes. And fewer terrible men. And a definition of justice better than “the right people win”.
January 2016: Yiiiiiiiiiikes. There's a lot of plot here, and a lot of craziness happening at the same time, and in a way I wish there were less, and that Tyler and Sophie got more time. This is engrossing - it really is a complete world - but I just didn't like that world as much as others Roberts has created.
January 2016: Yiiiiiiiiiikes. There's a lot of plot here, and a lot of craziness happening at the same time, and in a way I wish there were less, and that Tyler and Sophie got more time. This is engrossing - it really is a complete world - but I just didn't like that world as much as others Roberts has created.
July 28, 2011
It's very rare for me to find a Nora Roberts novel I don't like, but this is one. I didn't like the female lead character, Sophia, at all. Tyler was okay, but Sophia really grated on my nerves. I don't think she and I would ever have been friends in real life ... ;o)
Then there was Sophia's mother, Pilar, who remained a pale, flat character for most of the book. David was too pushy for my taste. He was good with his kids, but when he was with Pilar I just thought he behaved too agressively.
Normally, characterization is one of Nora Robert's strong points but she somehow missed her mark with "The Villa" ... :o(
Then there was Sophia's mother, Pilar, who remained a pale, flat character for most of the book. David was too pushy for my taste. He was good with his kids, but when he was with Pilar I just thought he behaved too agressively.
Normally, characterization is one of Nora Robert's strong points but she somehow missed her mark with "The Villa" ... :o(
October 27, 2021
En realidad 3.5 estrellas.
Es un libro que cumple su función. Ameno, divertido e interesante. Me gustan mucho las historias de este tipo.
Sofía es una mujer fuerte que me ha gustado mucho, sin embargo a veces me ha resultado un poco irreal pues en ocasiones era demasiado perfecta en situaciones en las que nadie estamos preparados para reaccionar.
Ty es el típico macho pero no es machista. Se da cuenta de que Sofía no le necesita pero elige que esté a su lado y él la complementa.
He odiado a muchos personajes. Me exasperaba la estupidez que mostraban y realmente el plot twist que se han marcado no me ha entusiasmado en exceso.
Es un libro que cumple su función. Ameno, divertido e interesante. Me gustan mucho las historias de este tipo.
Sofía es una mujer fuerte que me ha gustado mucho, sin embargo a veces me ha resultado un poco irreal pues en ocasiones era demasiado perfecta en situaciones en las que nadie estamos preparados para reaccionar.
Ty es el típico macho pero no es machista. Se da cuenta de que Sofía no le necesita pero elige que esté a su lado y él la complementa.
He odiado a muchos personajes. Me exasperaba la estupidez que mostraban y realmente el plot twist que se han marcado no me ha entusiasmado en exceso.
May 19, 2022
4.25/5. It's probably been close to 2 decades since I last read a Nora Roberts book, but if this book is any indication, her writing is as appealing to me now as it was then. A taut and well-told book, flowing well and, for the most, each thought, each motive, each line of dialogue made perfect sense and fitted well in complexity of the plot. There were a myriad of characters, which took me a while to keep tab on since I was listening. However, they were all wonderfully detailed and the main characters (shout out to Maddie) were really quite likeable. Although there is a dual romances going on (between the sophisticated and abrasive PR expert, Sophia, and the taciturn and grounded wine-grower, Tyler; Sophia's mum, Pilar, and the outsider single father executive, David), the book is more woman's lit than CR. There is lot going on in addition to the romantic plotlines: several murders to be solved and a plethora of quarrelling family members and employees/associates who might have motives and opportunities. The dialogues are snappy and made for an enjoyable listen, especially since the narration was so expertly done.
June 22, 2015
It's not my favourite Nora Roberts potboiler, but it was readable enough.
I didn't care for the characters all that much - aside from my being bored by richy-rich soap families (especially ones who rant at creepy lengths about "blood lines" - yeech!), these people just weren't that likeable. The "Hero" was okay, but generally dull; the "B Plot Hero" was better, overall, but unattractively aggressive when it came to his "B Plot Heroine", who was dishwater. The "Main Plot Heroine" was, frankly, repulsive in many aspects; I don't mind a take-charge chick, but she was simply a crappy person.
I like Roberts' works, and will continue to snap them up, but this one wasn't for me, for several reasons. I can't complain for a few random missed shots over the years, though. I usually keep her books for later re-reads, but I think this one will be handed along shortly.
For me, though I finished it without too much pain, this one was a miss, for sure.
I didn't care for the characters all that much - aside from my being bored by richy-rich soap families (especially ones who rant at creepy lengths about "blood lines" - yeech!), these people just weren't that likeable. The "Hero" was okay, but generally dull; the "B Plot Hero" was better, overall, but unattractively aggressive when it came to his "B Plot Heroine", who was dishwater. The "Main Plot Heroine" was, frankly, repulsive in many aspects; I don't mind a take-charge chick, but she was simply a crappy person.
I like Roberts' works, and will continue to snap them up, but this one wasn't for me, for several reasons. I can't complain for a few random missed shots over the years, though. I usually keep her books for later re-reads, but I think this one will be handed along shortly.
For me, though I finished it without too much pain, this one was a miss, for sure.
April 23, 2019
I Loved this book!
The Villa was literally like the old show or new show Dynasty!
So much family drama, and I was here for it. Normally I am not one for drama, but this was written so well that I just wanted to know what was going to happen next.
Sophia and Tyler are perfect main characters, and so are all the other characters we are introduced. The Giambelli family is big and vindictive. With passion, romance and twist and turns this was a family you don't wont to mess out on reading about.
I loved the way Nora described everything, the way she made you feel like you were looking or walking through he vineyards. She is an artist with the words she creates, this really truly was quite fun, even with all the theatrics.
This was an excellent buddy read for the Nora Roberts book of the month. Next month we are doing something a little magical.
The Villa, I was very attracted to the setting Napa Valley. The merge between two wine making family's, was a treat to read about. The Villa really had it all, the who did it aspect, drama, sex, romance and a murder.
I enjoyed the audio, and reading the book.
Cant not wait to see what Nora brings us next!
The Villa was literally like the old show or new show Dynasty!
So much family drama, and I was here for it. Normally I am not one for drama, but this was written so well that I just wanted to know what was going to happen next.
Sophia and Tyler are perfect main characters, and so are all the other characters we are introduced. The Giambelli family is big and vindictive. With passion, romance and twist and turns this was a family you don't wont to mess out on reading about.
I loved the way Nora described everything, the way she made you feel like you were looking or walking through he vineyards. She is an artist with the words she creates, this really truly was quite fun, even with all the theatrics.
This was an excellent buddy read for the Nora Roberts book of the month. Next month we are doing something a little magical.
The Villa, I was very attracted to the setting Napa Valley. The merge between two wine making family's, was a treat to read about. The Villa really had it all, the who did it aspect, drama, sex, romance and a murder.
I enjoyed the audio, and reading the book.
Cant not wait to see what Nora brings us next!
September 30, 2012
So I got stuck in a library on a Girl Scout mission in a remote farming community this past week.
Now I'm not generally one to complain about being stuck in a library, but my job was to sit there and field questions for 3 hours from girls who were interested in joining Girl Scouts. GREAT! I know everything ever that needs knowing about Girl Scouts and I'm really going to entice these girls to join a troop!
Yeah, no girls showed up. And the library only had 5 books.
One of which was Nora Roberts "The Villa," so I grabbed it and started reading with very little expectation of great goodness.
The last Nora Roberts books I read some years ago was a trilogy about some neo-pagan witches who all meet devastatingly handsome men to fall in love with. Nora Roberts has obviously never been to a pagan festival. There's a reason for all the rampant lesbianism.
So I was surprised that the story was actually not that bad. It wasn't the best thing I've ever scanned through but it was entirely NOT horrible.
And there were no vampires.
Now I'm not generally one to complain about being stuck in a library, but my job was to sit there and field questions for 3 hours from girls who were interested in joining Girl Scouts. GREAT! I know everything ever that needs knowing about Girl Scouts and I'm really going to entice these girls to join a troop!
Yeah, no girls showed up. And the library only had 5 books.
One of which was Nora Roberts "The Villa," so I grabbed it and started reading with very little expectation of great goodness.
The last Nora Roberts books I read some years ago was a trilogy about some neo-pagan witches who all meet devastatingly handsome men to fall in love with. Nora Roberts has obviously never been to a pagan festival. There's a reason for all the rampant lesbianism.
So I was surprised that the story was actually not that bad. It wasn't the best thing I've ever scanned through but it was entirely NOT horrible.
And there were no vampires.
August 8, 2008
I liked the book because it's not formula Roberts; it's a complicated story with a large cast and the plot unravels in a way that manages to not be too predictable. You know early on who the villain is, but the mystery is in his motivations and who he talks into being his accomplices. My only complaints: I didn't really like Sophia that much, which is a problem given she's the primary heroine. She was... abrasive. It's possible to be a strong woman without being bitchy, you know. I thought also that some of the wine-related imagery was a bit heavy-handed. Even the hero, Ty, has reddish streaks in his hair the same color as a good Cabernet. I get it, they all work at a vineyard, let's move on. Still, a quick, mostly enjoyable read.
March 26, 2015
No se por donde empezar,me ha encantado,No quería terminarlo!!!
Una historia bien contada,que no solo se basa en un personaje concreto si no en varios,hace que tengas ganas de seguir leyendo para ver que sigue pasando.
Tiene momentos preciosos,otros que te dejan con la boca abierta como el final y un descubrimiento que no me esperaba para nada...Me enamorado del personaje masculino de Tyler y Maddy es muy tierna...Sophia es igual que su abuela Teresa que a pesar que parece muy recta y seca.cuando la abre la boca todo lo que dice tiene razón,Claudia y David me encantan y Theo junto a su hermana vaya dos,los cambios de ciudad le han venido muy bien
Una historia bien contada,que no solo se basa en un personaje concreto si no en varios,hace que tengas ganas de seguir leyendo para ver que sigue pasando.
Tiene momentos preciosos,otros que te dejan con la boca abierta como el final y un descubrimiento que no me esperaba para nada...Me enamorado del personaje masculino de Tyler y Maddy es muy tierna...Sophia es igual que su abuela Teresa que a pesar que parece muy recta y seca.cuando la abre la boca todo lo que dice tiene razón,Claudia y David me encantan y Theo junto a su hermana vaya dos,los cambios de ciudad le han venido muy bien
January 27, 2019
Apesar de não ser dos meus preferidos da Nora, achei que as personagens estavam bem construídas bem como todo o enredo em si. Uma história que mistura amor com intrigas com o toque das vinhas.
November 23, 2022
2022 Fall Bingo (#FallInLoveBingo🍂): Published Before 2010
3.5 stars
Nora is the queen of messy family sagas with a dozen point-of-views. Read via Scribd/audio (narrated by Laural Merlington).
3.5 stars
Nora is the queen of messy family sagas with a dozen point-of-views. Read via Scribd/audio (narrated by Laural Merlington).
June 12, 2015
1 de 5 estrellas.
Lo mejor: El entorno entre viñedos, paisajes de California y paisajes italianos.
Lo peor: A esta novela le sobran como 150 páginas. Es como ver un telefilm de antenta 3 de los domingos pero de los que aburren. Al final tiene un pequeño punto de imprevisibilidad pero en general es super líneal, llena de tópicos, unos romances emapalagosos y con muchos aires de telenovela venezolana.
El personaje que más me ha gustado: Por decir uno, digo René, es la mala pero es la qua pone algo de intriga y emoción, gracias René por tus momentos e imperfecciones.
El personaje que menos me ha gustado: Tyler.... típico tipo de campo duro y sin nada interesante....
En definitiva, no lo recomiendo para nada...
Lo mejor: El entorno entre viñedos, paisajes de California y paisajes italianos.
Lo peor: A esta novela le sobran como 150 páginas. Es como ver un telefilm de antenta 3 de los domingos pero de los que aburren. Al final tiene un pequeño punto de imprevisibilidad pero en general es super líneal, llena de tópicos, unos romances emapalagosos y con muchos aires de telenovela venezolana.
El personaje que más me ha gustado: Por decir uno, digo René, es la mala pero es la qua pone algo de intriga y emoción, gracias René por tus momentos e imperfecciones.
El personaje que menos me ha gustado: Tyler.... típico tipo de campo duro y sin nada interesante....
En definitiva, no lo recomiendo para nada...
April 16, 2017
Good story.
April 13, 2020
For a more indepth spoiler free review in dutch: https://lizakoppens.wordpress.com/202...
I liked this book. Don't get me wrong there were more than enough things that just were not for me, however I did enjoy reading it.
Starting of on what I did not like:
I'm not a big fan of romance's and I don't mean the romance themselves but the tons and tons of descriptive s*x scenes. Most of the time I will just skip them and \ or ignore them, but that will get a bit hard when there are many of them in quick succession.
The switching from character to character wasn't all bad. Just when I did not notice it happened before being half-way trough a page, and then having to start all over because I was so confused.
There were also a lot of times that I would have liked to see more or less of the story. I especially wanted more of the second romance.
Now the thing I did really like:
I loved the murder, mystrie, betrayal plot of the story. It got me second guessing and trying to fit all the pieces together, and then at the end a plot twist I had not seen coming made its way to the pages.
The second romance was a lovely thing to read. I liked the main romance and characters well enough, but the second one was without a doubt my favorite. The relation ship, the way it got handled and the reasonably realistic way the teen children of the love interest reacted was great. And even if both of the second romance characters had their own hardship, they got trough the bad times as well as they could and found a real connection in each other.
And the wine, o dear. I never knew so much about the grapes, the way they had to be cared for, the making of the wine and the behind the scenes. It was really informative, if a bit much at times.
It kind of felt like a tv-drama series with a murder plot in between. Which I really liked about it. And because of my love for anything murder\mysterie I gave it 4 stars.
It really does deserve a chance to be read. At this moment It's my favorite Nora Roberts book (of the 8 I've read).
I liked this book. Don't get me wrong there were more than enough things that just were not for me, however I did enjoy reading it.
Starting of on what I did not like:
I'm not a big fan of romance's and I don't mean the romance themselves but the tons and tons of descriptive s*x scenes. Most of the time I will just skip them and \ or ignore them, but that will get a bit hard when there are many of them in quick succession.
The switching from character to character wasn't all bad. Just when I did not notice it happened before being half-way trough a page, and then having to start all over because I was so confused.
There were also a lot of times that I would have liked to see more or less of the story. I especially wanted more of the second romance.
Now the thing I did really like:
I loved the murder, mystrie, betrayal plot of the story. It got me second guessing and trying to fit all the pieces together, and then at the end a plot twist I had not seen coming made its way to the pages.
The second romance was a lovely thing to read. I liked the main romance and characters well enough, but the second one was without a doubt my favorite. The relation ship, the way it got handled and the reasonably realistic way the teen children of the love interest reacted was great. And even if both of the second romance characters had their own hardship, they got trough the bad times as well as they could and found a real connection in each other.
And the wine, o dear. I never knew so much about the grapes, the way they had to be cared for, the making of the wine and the behind the scenes. It was really informative, if a bit much at times.
It kind of felt like a tv-drama series with a murder plot in between. Which I really liked about it. And because of my love for anything murder\mysterie I gave it 4 stars.
It really does deserve a chance to be read. At this moment It's my favorite Nora Roberts book (of the 8 I've read).
October 22, 2015
Nora Roberts, me has decepcionado.
Me esperaba muchísimo más de Las viñas de Napa Valley, sobre todo porque me he acostumbrado a que todos los libros de Nora Roberts me encanten, que la sinopsis no pintaba nada mal y que el tema de los vinos me resulta interesante. Parecía que iba para una nota de 5, y sin embargo se ha quedado en un 1'5.
La primera parte de libro me encató, de verdad que sí. Pero luego me aburría, porque el libro se centra mucho en la relación con Claudia y David y, sinceramente, su relación no me apetecía leerla. Yo quería a Ty y a Sophia y no sé si he sido yo o que, pero me dio la impresión que hay más capítulos de Claudia y David que de Tyler y Sophia.
Claudia, la madre de Sophia, es todo dulcura y amor y todas esas cosas. Al principio me caía genial, pero después... uf, es que no la he soportado nada. Cuando se introduce al personaje de David y este muestra interés en ella, Claudia lo rechaza una y otra vez por motivos como "Es que soy muy vieja para volver a tener una relación", "mi cuerpo no es atractivo", "uy, ¿cómo voy a tener sexo con él con mi edad? uy qué disparate" o "¡Pero si él es más joven que yo! (cuando ella solo le llevaba un par de años con él)" y así infinidad. Además, he encontrado insoportable su sentimiento retorcido por su "matrimonio" (si es que se puede llamar así). Es decir, Tony y ella están separados pero no divorciados, y cuando Tony le pide el matrimonio a ella le afecta mucho. Lo peor de todo es que Tony le ponía los cuernos desde que comenzó este "matrimonio" prácticamente.Y ella no sabe decir otra cosa que "30 años de matrimonio no se tira así como así". Y no he podido con eso. No. Punto.
Sobre Ty y Sophia... bueno, me gustan mucho, sobre todo Sophia. Es fuerte, independiente y no es la típica protagonista que tiene que apoyarse constantemente en su pareja porque sino no se siente realizada (o alguna cosa de esas). Aunque a veces sí que debería haberse apoyado más en Ty. Sin embargo, de Ty, ha habido ciertas cosas que no sé, no me han llegado a cerrar.
La abuela Teresa tampoco es que me haya enamorado. Iba con la idea que iba a ser la típica abuela amorosa que todo el mundo quiere y que es muy achuchable. Pero no. No sé. Por ejemplo, uno de sus sobrinos tiene hijos, y son de los revoltosos y mimados, ¿a los que nadie soporta pero que no les queda más remedio? Pues así son. En una de las comidas que tienen, la mujer esta no tiene otra que mandar a los niños con una niñera a un cuarto porque "no permitiría que sus nietos se sentaran con ellos porque son unos maleducados" y no sé qué más. Qué queréis que os diga, pero a mí eso me parece muy por la cara, por muy maleducados y llorones que sean, yo qué sé. Además, ¿y el contrato que le impone a Sophia y a Ty? Ya sé que sin él no habría libro, pero es que prácticamente los obliga. Así, por cojones o sino OS LO QUITO TODO. ¿HOLIIIII?
Pero sin duda, lo que me ha hecho bajarle la nota de 2'5 a 1'5 ha sido el final. Sinceramente, ES QUE NO LO ENTIENDO NADA.
En fin, Nora Roberts, espero que el próximo sea mejor osú.
Me esperaba muchísimo más de Las viñas de Napa Valley, sobre todo porque me he acostumbrado a que todos los libros de Nora Roberts me encanten, que la sinopsis no pintaba nada mal y que el tema de los vinos me resulta interesante. Parecía que iba para una nota de 5, y sin embargo se ha quedado en un 1'5.
La primera parte de libro me encató, de verdad que sí. Pero luego me aburría, porque el libro se centra mucho en la relación con Claudia y David y, sinceramente, su relación no me apetecía leerla. Yo quería a Ty y a Sophia y no sé si he sido yo o que, pero me dio la impresión que hay más capítulos de Claudia y David que de Tyler y Sophia.
Claudia, la madre de Sophia, es todo dulcura y amor y todas esas cosas. Al principio me caía genial, pero después... uf, es que no la he soportado nada. Cuando se introduce al personaje de David y este muestra interés en ella, Claudia lo rechaza una y otra vez por motivos como "Es que soy muy vieja para volver a tener una relación", "mi cuerpo no es atractivo", "uy, ¿cómo voy a tener sexo con él con mi edad? uy qué disparate" o "¡Pero si él es más joven que yo! (cuando ella solo le llevaba un par de años con él)" y así infinidad. Además, he encontrado insoportable su sentimiento retorcido por su "matrimonio" (si es que se puede llamar así). Es decir, Tony y ella están separados pero no divorciados, y cuando Tony le pide el matrimonio a ella le afecta mucho. Lo peor de todo es que Tony le ponía los cuernos desde que comenzó este "matrimonio" prácticamente.Y ella no sabe decir otra cosa que "30 años de matrimonio no se tira así como así". Y no he podido con eso. No. Punto.
Sobre Ty y Sophia... bueno, me gustan mucho, sobre todo Sophia. Es fuerte, independiente y no es la típica protagonista que tiene que apoyarse constantemente en su pareja porque sino no se siente realizada (o alguna cosa de esas). Aunque a veces sí que debería haberse apoyado más en Ty. Sin embargo, de Ty, ha habido ciertas cosas que no sé, no me han llegado a cerrar.
La abuela Teresa tampoco es que me haya enamorado. Iba con la idea que iba a ser la típica abuela amorosa que todo el mundo quiere y que es muy achuchable. Pero no. No sé. Por ejemplo, uno de sus sobrinos tiene hijos, y son de los revoltosos y mimados, ¿a los que nadie soporta pero que no les queda más remedio? Pues así son. En una de las comidas que tienen, la mujer esta no tiene otra que mandar a los niños con una niñera a un cuarto porque "no permitiría que sus nietos se sentaran con ellos porque son unos maleducados" y no sé qué más. Qué queréis que os diga, pero a mí eso me parece muy por la cara, por muy maleducados y llorones que sean, yo qué sé. Además, ¿y el contrato que le impone a Sophia y a Ty? Ya sé que sin él no habría libro, pero es que prácticamente los obliga. Así, por cojones o sino OS LO QUITO TODO. ¿HOLIIIII?
Pero sin duda, lo que me ha hecho bajarle la nota de 2'5 a 1'5 ha sido el final. Sinceramente, ES QUE NO LO ENTIENDO NADA.
En fin, Nora Roberts, espero que el próximo sea mejor osú.
July 23, 2011
As a wine-lover with a sister who lives in northern California, I was naturally attracted to the Napa Valley setting of THE VILLA, my first from Nora Roberts. The merger between two winemaking families, Giambelli and MacMillan, seemed a smart and inevitable business move. How the players plan to work together and embrace this change is another issue. Sophia Giambelli and Tyler MacMillan have known each other since they were kids, their family's vineyards as the other's backyard. The formation of Giambelli-MacMillan Wines throws them both into each other's hair, work and hearts.
THE VILLA has triple-romance, conspiracy, lies and deception, murder, and, well ... wine! Everything a great story needs. Add a few twists and surprises ... never a dull moment. What one reader may see as a "slow-part," I saw as a wonderful flow of descriptive background and detail. The characters didn't need to be constantly involved for this marvelous story to captivate me. Roberts' writing style is superb. I could "see" the vineyards of Napa Valley and the streets of Venice. Three generations of well-developed characters interact beautifully throughout the story. Their actions and dialog made them unique and very real.
THE VILLA has triple-romance, conspiracy, lies and deception, murder, and, well ... wine! Everything a great story needs. Add a few twists and surprises ... never a dull moment. What one reader may see as a "slow-part," I saw as a wonderful flow of descriptive background and detail. The characters didn't need to be constantly involved for this marvelous story to captivate me. Roberts' writing style is superb. I could "see" the vineyards of Napa Valley and the streets of Venice. Three generations of well-developed characters interact beautifully throughout the story. Their actions and dialog made them unique and very real.
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