I was really excited to read this book based on the plot (escape from corporate life! Romance! Italy! Winery! Mysterious family!) but overall it was a letdown. In my opinion the writing style was very stilted and the main character seemed to have literally no original inner life—her thoughts and emotions were weirdly simple and aggravatingly stereotypical. The whole tone of the book felt dated, like it took place no later than the 1950s, especially the main character’s interactions with her housekeeper/cook. The one dimensional side characters added to this impression, especially the mistress and the (what seemed to be) token gay friends. I appreciated the detailed descriptions of the beautiful vineyard and surrounding town but they were not enough to save this book in my eyes. I actually think it could make a good romantic movie but the writing was so meh.