Blush by Jamie Brenner: Review

Do you ever find yourself gravitating to the same type of books? Once in a while I realize that I do kind of find myself reading and even reviewing similar stories. I guess it’s a comfort thing. But what is cool is even though some themes may be similar, the author certainly has the ability and a tough job of completely making them unique.

I have a new family saga I want to share with you. And while similar to some of the other “wine family saga’s“, this is a completely unique story that really makes you think. Read on for my full review.

Blush by Jamie Brenner
Publisher : G.P. Putnam’s Sons (June 22, 2021)
ISBN-13 : 978-0593085752

OVERVIEW:
For decades, the Hollander Estates winery has been the premier destination for lavish parties and romantic day trips on the North Fork of Long Island. But behind the lush vineyards and majestic estate house, the Hollander family fortunes have suffered and the threat of a sale brings old wounds to the surface. For matriarch Vivian, she fears that this summer season could be their last—and that selling their winery to strangers could expose a dark secret she’s harbored for decades. Meanwhile, her daughter, Leah, who was turned away from the business years ago, finds her marriage at a crossroads and returns home for a sorely needed escape. And granddaughter Sadie, grappling with a crisis of her own, runs to the vineyard looking for inspiration.

But when Sadie uncovers journals from Vivian’s old book club dedicated to scandalous novels of decades past, she realizes that this might be the distraction they all need. Reviving the “trashy” book club, the Hollander women find that the stories hold the key to their fight not only for the vineyeard, but for the life and love they’ve wanted all along.

Blush by Jamie Brenner Review

With all of the strides that women have made even in my own lifetime, it’s still interesting to read stories where females are shunned from family business.

But this is also a story about strong women. It’s a story of a comparison from today to forty years ago. It’s a story about power and knowledge. It’s a story about being able to stand tall against adversity and buck the system.

This is an interesting story in that multiple generations of women are brought together and choose to help during troubling times. And yet within that they start a book club, of sorts. Reading books about “feminist women“ from the 1980s.

Interestingly enough, I’ve read all of the books that are mentioned in this story but I don’t think that this family has learned much in the last 40 years. Daddio is hard-core sexist and is very stubborn to a fault.

Refusing help even if it means losing everything is not a good choice for him or the family. Stepping up and standing up may be the only way to help save the family business.

Brenner tells a story with strong ties to the family home. It is about choices that can shape and affect the family. It is about not taking no for an answer and forcing to help regardless if it is determined to be needed or not. It is about strength and toughness.

Blush is also about love. The love of family, business, personal needs, and recognizing what is best for you regardless of what others think.

This is a unique and interesting story. I was disturbed with parts of it because in 2021 we should not be still talking about sexism, especially within our own families. We should be finally celebrating the fact that no matter who it is, they should be able to do a job. Do stories like this continue to fuel the issues??? I don’t know, but please, can we finally move into believing in strong women and celebrating them regardless?

Blush is a fabulous family saga. It will cause emotional outbursts here and there… frustration, smiles, tenderness, sadness, and more. But it is a study in feminism in time and a hope for a way forward, finally.

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.