Vintage Attraction

Blackstone’s second novel follows the wine-infused romance of Peter Hapworth, self-described “Conceptualist, Teacher, Chicagoan, Swashbuckler, Eater, Drinker, Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker,” and sommelier Isabelle Conway, star of her own television show, Vintage Attraction. When Peter guests on her show, he winds up with a date, and the two embark on a whirlwind courtship. Izzy’s world is a glamorous one, in contrast to Peter’s drab academic circles and lackluster dating life. In five weeks, their courtship runs its course through Chicago’s restaurant scene, culminating with their hasty elopement. But while Izzy’s fortunes rise, Peter is fired from his teaching job and pulled back into an old relationship. When Izzy’s friend Pacer Rosencrants begins to pursue her, Peter begins to question his bond with Izzy. To test their love, he follows her on a wine tour of Santorini, Greece. Blackstone has created a likable protagonist in Peter, and a worthy love interest in Izzy, toying with the dynamic of pursuer and pursued. His wine world knowledge is impressive, but the story is riddled with clunky wine world puns among otherwise confident prose. However, the boy meets girl, gets girl, loses girl story he tells is a familiar one that the wine world does little to enliven. Agent: Ryan Harbage, Fischer-Harbage Agency. (Oct.)