The Vineyard Secret: An absolutely addictive and emotional wartime historical fiction novel

About this book

Germany, 1945. I tiptoe across rows of symmetrical vines, my thin linen dress no protection against the whipping breeze. A cry echoes through the night, but when I reach the stream, my heart plummets. He isn't here. And by the time I see the soldier, it's already too late... Present day. Devastated by the loss of the grandmother she adored, newly single Matylda escapes to the vineyard Rozalia called home to mend her twice-broken heart. Curled up beside the crackling fire, Matylda breathes in the scent of her childhood-woody vanilla mixed with lavender-and is filled with hope. But that shatters when she learns that the other half of her grandmother's land has been left to a stranger... "Welcome to our home", Matylda says coolly to Tobias von Hagel, his blue eyes fixed on her as they hear the terms of Rozalia's will: they must share the house for thirty days or forfeit their half. Who is this sullen man? And why would her grandmother insist on them living together like this? Matylda throws herself into life on the vineyard, picking and crushing grapes from sunrise to sunset. But no matter how much she tries to avoid him, Tobias is always there. And as his fingers brush hers as they silently work the land together, Matylda feels herself warming to him. Until she uncovers a devastating truth: the von Hagels were the Nazi family who kidnapped her grandmother, forcing her to labor in these very fields. Dumbfounded, Matylda can't imagine how Rozalia could return to this place after the war. And why would she reward the grandson of her tormentor with her beloved house? As deep-rooted secrets from Rozalia's life surface, Matylda must ask herself: how well did she really know her grandmother-and can she survive the truth hidden amongst the twisting vines? A totally heartbreaking read about family secrets and forbidden love, by Polish American writer Gosia Nealon. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lorna Cook and The Letter.

Details

Format

Paperback

ISBN-13

9781805506409

Publisher

Bookouture

Published

June 9, 2026

Pages

292

Weight

10.1 oz

Subject

Fiction