J.T. Lundy

I received this from LibraryThing as a free advanced copy from the author or the publisher, although I really don't remember which it was off the top of my head and I absolutely loved it!

Let me start by saying that I hate romantic books in almost any sense, but I ADORE this book! It was a big step outside of my typical book-realm, but I'm so glad I read it. It's one of those books that would be great as a movie (**HINT HINT: SOMEONE PLEASE MAKE THIS INTO A MOVIE**) because there isn't really much you can leave out, and unless you left out something or someone major... like Stumpy or one of the nuns, you really couldn't screw up the silver screen adaptation. In fact, it would be totally possible to add to it. Ok, that's perhaps a long shot, but hey, it could happen.

Anyway, I picked it up and immediately thought (in monotone sarcasm), "Oh, boy. Another romantic comedy. I can't wait," but quickly became aware that I was unable to put it down. In fact, I almost missed my stop on the train because I was so engrossed in it and wasn't paying attention to where I was. You have been warned, future readers!

Lundy doesn't overdo it with the characters, which was quite refreshing. You know who's important and who's not, and you don't get bombarded with too much info about background characters unless it's relevant. That's a huge problem I've been having lately in my literary travels. Back to business though, I love how the supporting characters are relate-able, like the lovable idiot that is Stumpy or the stern old bat that is Aunt Clara or Sister Claudette. Lundy even had you routing for the screw up that was Jason, making it a wonderfully heart warming read that even those, like myself, that aren't fans of the genera can get into. If all romantic comedies could be as well written and enjoyable as this, I'd never stop reading them. If you read no other book from that genera, at least read Saving Grapes. It's funny, relate-able and just an all around good read.… (mais)

Saving Grapes is the type of book you read while waiting for your prescription to be filled at the pharmacy. You see it on the rack, pick it up, read a few pages and then put it back when your prescription is ready. It's the type of book that you really don't care if you finish it or not.

The book is not that bad. Sure, there is no character development; the plot is predictable (except for the end but no spoilers here); and the writing is often sophomoric but, it did contain moments of hilarity.

Jason and his best friend Stumpy are juvenile in attitude and stuck in the bodies of men. Their ensuing escapades in relation to Jason's vineyard is the driving force behind the story. As I have said, the plot is predictable, Jason is a loser, gets in financial trouble, inherits a vineyard, tries to sell the vineyard, falls in love and then tries to keep the vineyard. The antics are preposterous but some are amusing.

More of a summer read.… (mais)