I got interested in this book because of the cover. It was already intriguing just with that. This in not just another chic lit. Some call it a bonkbuster (a popular novel involving frequent explicit sexual encounters, normally in a contemporary setting, allwords.com).To start, this book is basically about wine, or more specifically sparkling wine. I honestly know next to nothing about wine, much less champagne. And this is actually a good reference for indirectly learning about such things. The author gave not-too-detailed descriptions, so as not to bore readers, about the process of making wine and champagne. From planting and handling the grapes, harvesting, crushing or squeezing, fermentation, to bottling and everything else in between. A good background and know-how of wine-making to really make you get into the story.The real story is not all about the booze, of course. This book screams girl power! Three very different women - an ambitious soon-to-become-ex model, a young chavvy chambermaid, and a meek but daring heiress - from different places of the globe. Different stories of struggles, intrigues, scandals. Each woman's story is enticing, although not very realistic. But, you'll love the flow nonetheless. You'll feel like an empowered woman when you read this book. I couldn't really put it down when I started reading it. I almost finished it in one sitting had I not been rudely interrupted! :)The story revolves around who can produce the best bottle of vintage sparkling wine. The drama and scandals were exciting. And may I add steamy! Hence, the bonkbuster description. The back-stabbing, politicking, prostitution, and even murder. Add to that the earthquake at the end. Which was a little out of line, honestly. But it was a good twist anyway.And behind all these drama that the women went through is this millionaire. He played and manipulated with most of the characters. The author did a very good job describing each character. You'll really feel empathy, hatred, even jealousy towards the characters. Which just shows how well-written it is.I also liked how the stories of the three women intertwined. There's synchonicity which is quite impressive. The incidents of how one character affected another, and then another even if they were miles apart. That was good.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable read. Not too serious. Not too dramatic. A very easy, chill-out mode read. It's fun, steamy, sexy, naughty, ambitious. I can't wait for the next one from the relaxed author Olivia Darling. I'll bet it's gonna be another sexy read. :)