It’s December, the season of celebrations, and what better way to toast the holidays than with a book inspired by one of the most iconic names in champagne history? Say hello to The Champagne Letters by Kate MacIntosh—Christine’s Book Club pick for the month!
We all know Veuve Clicquot, the legendary yellow-label champagne. But have you ever wondered about the woman behind the brand? How did a widow in the 1800s navigate societal expectations and business challenges to build one of the world’s most successful champagne houses? She must have been brilliant, bold, and fierce—and this historical fiction novel brings her story to life.
✨ The Dual Timelines:
• Reims, France, 1805: Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, newly widowed, is determined to fulfill her late husband’s dream of crafting the premier champagne house. Battling Napoleonic court politics, competitors, and war-torn France, she risks everything to create a legacy that will endure.
• Present Day, Chicago & Paris: Natalie Taylor, reeling from a painful divorce, escapes to Paris and stumbles upon a collection of Widow Clicquot’s letters. Inspired by the widow’s resilience, Natalie embarks on her own journey of reinvention—but an unexpected twist forces her to decide: retreat or rise?
This book is for:
✨ Historical fiction fans
✨ Champagne lovers
✨ Feminists and dreamers
✨ Anyone who’s faced hard times and found the courage to rise again
So, grab a glass of bubbly and dive into this empowering and richly woven story. Because let’s face it—this December, we could all use a little inspiration from the Widow Clicquot.
📖 Pick up The Champagne Letters by Kate MacIntosh at The Riverbend Book Shop in Glastonbury or West Hartford — support your local independent, women-owned book sellers — and join Christine’s Book Club this month! Let’s read, rise, and toast to resilience. 🥂✨