Say You'll Be Mine

August 29, 2011
In Amante's moving story of love and loss, 40-something Isabel Gallegos is finally on the verge of pursuing her own dreams when she receives word that her cousin in Argentina has died in a tragic accident and left Isabel as the guardian to her three young children. Divorced, lonely Isabelâhaving becoming owner and CEO of her parents' business, Gallegos Wineryâhas just sold the company and planned to move to the beach. Instead, she goes to Argentina, where she must figure out how to reconcile the children's needs with her desire for an independent life. Drawing inspiration from her American and Argentine background, Amante (Evenings at the Argentine Club) paints a vivid picture of both the Temecula vineyards and the Argentine countryside. Though Isabel's aloofness and unnerving, repetitive selfish behavior render her an unsympathetic character, Amante's well-developed supporting cast (including Isabel's ex-husband Nick, and her deceased cousin's children) save the novel and make this an enjoyable read.

September 15, 2011
Isabel Gallegos gave up her dreams to help her parents move their winery from Argentina to California. At 46, she is looking forward to early retirement after selling the business she and ex-husband Nick inherited. Then tragedy brings her back to Argentina, and she finds herself legal guardian to her cousin's three children. A quick custody arrangement with her cousin's estranged brother-in-law could be the solution, but Nick wants her to give motherhood a try. There are really three love stories here: the one between Isabel and Nick, who are dealing with their alcohol-damaged past; the bad-boy uncle's wooing of Isabel's divorced best friend; and, ultimately, the love that flows between Isabel and the children. Readers may find Isabel infuriating as she tries to fight the inevitable, but she comes to her truths honestly and convincingly. This possible lack of sympathy should be assuaged by the pleasure of reading Gallegos' descriptions of coastal Southern California landscape and the lush, mountainous wine region of Argentina. For all readers of women's fiction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)