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Saving Grapes

J.T. Lundy (Goodreads Author)

3.79 · Rating details · 136 ratings · 61 reviews

Thirty-two-year-old Jason Barnes recently lost his job, and his heart. Now, thanks to a meddling ex-wife and a golf cart fiasco, he has just thirty days to pay a $60,000 fine or go to jail.

Jason was hoping his Aunt Clara would come to his rescue, but she unexpectedly dies, gifting her liquid assets to charity. She does, however, will Jason a picturesque French vineyard—an ...more

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Paperback, 288 pages

Published May 5th 2015 by Emerald Book Company (first published April 1st 2015)

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Feb 03, 2015 Bryan D. rated it really liked it

15 of 75 in 2015. Another LibraryThing Early Reviewers selection. I have to admit, that when I picked up the mail and found a new book from the Early Reviewers program, I put aside my "currently reading" selection, and started right in on the new book. For one thing, if LibraryThing is kind enough to give me a foretaste of new works, the least I can do is read them promptly and tell folks what I think. And also, I have to admit that this book took a while to hold my attention. As I read the firs 15 of 75 in 2015. Another LibraryThing Early Reviewers selection. I have to admit, that when I picked up the mail and found a new book from the Early Reviewers program, I put aside my "currently reading" selection, and started right in on the new book. For one thing, if LibraryThing is kind enough to give me a foretaste of new works, the least I can do is read them promptly and tell folks what I think. And also, I have to admit that this book took a while to hold my attention. As I read the first few chapters, I felt as if this was going to be a challenge. But all of a sudden, the story (and the characters) grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I hate to say that there are certain TV shows I watch religiously. Not this time. The book was more compelling. The story of a man at loose ends, about to go to jail because, basically, he's a loser, goes to France and finds redemption, a calling, and family. I could appreciate the "home" feeling Jason had on the vineyard in France--a place he's never lived. I had exactly the same feeling in West Virginia where generations of my ancestors (but not myself) have lived. I could relate to him finding solace at his grandparents' tomb. I've stood on my grandparents' tomb in our family cemetery. The story is a bit far-fetched though in the manner Jason is able to get to France, and fight all battles to win his inheritance. That said, there is enough love and passion in the telling, and enough humor to entrance just about any reader. There are also enough chapter ending hooks to draw the reader into the next chapter, and the one after that, until, before you know it, it's 10 pm and you've finished the book you started earlier in the day. That's what I did. Read the whole thing in one day. Now I want more from J.T. Lundy. But this really was an Early Review. The book isn't scheduled for release until May, 2015. My ongoing French teacher quibble. If you're going to put French language in the mouths of native French people, GET THE DAMN LANGUAGE CORRECT. (Minor quibble, as 99.9% of the dialogue in the book is in English.) ...more

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Feb 09, 2015 Anne added it

Recommends it for: No one

(ARC from LibraryThing)
This is possibly one of the worst books I have ever wasted time reading. J.T. Lundy apparently has only a nodding acquaintance with English grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation, and none at all with the French language. (Speaking of which, can we please make it a rule for publishers that any book with foreign expressions in it HAS to be proofread/edited by someone who is fluent in that language?)
The blurb on the back of the book claims that it is "Wodehousian" in its jolli ...more

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Feb 04, 2015 Dianna rated it really liked it

I received this from Library Thing giveaway. From win to my mailbox in 6 days so I had to start reading. And then I couldn't put it down. Finished this fast, fun, romantic, slapstick comedy in one day. At first I rolled my eyes. Then all of a sudden I got pulled into this story and each of its characters. Grab this one for your next beach read.
Thank you, Library Thing! ...more

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May 15, 2015 Sherwood Smith added it

Shelves: fiction

Copy courtesy NetGalley

Jason Barnes is a high school screw-up in the body of a thirty-two year old man. At the start, he is still pals with his high-school buddy Stumpy, who he still orders around without much respect, newly divorced by a wife who dumped him for a Wall Street success, and working at a golf driving range for his loathed step-brother Eustace.

In a disastrous comedy of errors Jason ends up trashing the golf range, after which Eustace and Jason both yell for Aunt Clara, who in one o Copy courtesy NetGalley

Jason Barnes is a high school screw-up in the body of a thirty-two year old man. At the start, he is still pals with his high-school buddy Stumpy, who he still orders around without much respect, newly divorced by a wife who dumped him for a Wall Street success, and working at a golf driving range for his loathed step-brother Eustace.

In a disastrous comedy of errors Jason ends up trashing the golf range, after which Eustace and Jason both yell for Aunt Clara, who in one of those complicated American families raised them both; they agree on a solution, which Eustace promptly reneges on, with the result that Jason is arrested, and given a month to pay back the sixty thousand in damages that Eustace insists it cost. Or else he will do hard time.

Further, Aunt Clara dies abruptly, and because of a complicated will, Jason has only that month to pay back the money or he loses his inheritance, a French vineyard, that Eustace badly covets.

And his passport is taken away.

Jason and Stumpy still manage to find their way to France, where they meet the local nuns, as well as a lively set of characters as Jason sets about trying first to figure out a way to sell the vineyard in order to pay his debt. He slowly finds roots--and love--and even begins to grow up in spite of the fact that he is determined by hook or by crook (mostly the latter, but there are some hooks in his complicated plans) to save the place.

It's a breezy read, not laugh-out-loud funny, but with some vivid and engaging moments. I kept comparing it to a zany romcom, in the wild way the plot unfolds, with disguises and lies and historical artifacts and a lot of sneaking around. In that sense, it reminded me of P.G. Wodehouse. The plot turns on surprises and coincidences, and hand-waves a great many things, such as what life is actually like in a cloister in which nuns still take vows of silence, the French language, and today's realities of airline travel.

These things don't really matter in the long run. The language is not nearly as deft or as clever as Wodehouse at his best, but the read is fun, and someone could easily adapt this into a screenplay, keeping the brisk pacing and the variety of characters. ...more

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Dec 29, 2014 Elizabeth Ehlen rated it really liked it

From the author of Happy Utopia Day, Joe McCarthy (which I loved) comes an altogether different genre of novel - the romantic comedy Saving Grapes. Because I loved the dystopian sarcasm of Happy Utopia Day, I was a little skeptical of the translation to a romantic comedy. Fortunately, I kept an open mind and was not disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, it was a much fluffier story than the other, but it was still a good, fast read, and managed to connect the Midwest and French wine country, which m ...more

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Feb 19, 2015 David Bennett rated it it was amazing

They say you should never judge a book by it's cover and this book is no exception.
Appearing like a chick flic with five grapes surrounding a heart is a bit of a misnomer, may look like something guys would be totally bored with is actually a story about guys. Written in the first person narrative from the point of view of Jason Barnes, a guy constantly getting knocked down by life just when he starts getting back on his feet finally looses it and creates himself a whole load more trouble for hi ...more

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May 09, 2015 Arlena Dean rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, 4-stars, a-good-book, my-reviews, comedy, humor

Title: Saving Grapes
Author: J. T. Lundy
Publisher: Emerald Book Company
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Saving Grapes" by L. T. Lundy

What I liked about this novel...

Wow, all I can say it that "Saving Grapes" made me laugh and laugh ...from this vineyard setting [sights, sounds and aromas] along with the nuns and those crazy villains these two main characters[Jason and Stumpy] were simply off the chart so interesting and funny! Oh yes, in a slapstick way did I love this way this author ...more

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Feb 01, 2015 Dedee1972 rated it it was amazing

Saving Grapes by J.T. Lundy was a genuine find that I'm so glad for once and it came from my lovely husband, of all places.
Jason Barnes is what I call a modern Dick Van Dyke. Brutally honest and gets into all sorts of trouble by being and absolute klutz. With his good friend Stumpy, even bigger klutz than him, set out to an adventure that you would never think they would come out of it alive.
This book will make you laugh and feel good in so many ways. its easy to read and would be a perfect f ...more

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Jun 05, 2015 Denise rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015-goal

** I received this ARC from Story Cartel in exchange for an honest review**

'Saving Grapes' pulled me in from the beginning and I literally did not put it down. I loved the storyline and how it played out. Full of humor, unfortunate yet funny mishaps, romance, drama and great characters. Jason was one of those characters you love even when his antics have you shaking your head. I loved his humor. Stumpy was such a likable character. A very devoted friend who also happened to be caught in the same ...more

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Feb 04, 2015 Cindy rated it really liked it

Shelves: goodreads-giveaway-from-friends

This book just made me laugh and feel good! Sure, there is a lot of slapstick stuff going on but it worked! The vineyard setting, the nuns, crazy villains, and the two main characters makes for a book I would definitely recommend. What a fun ride! As other reviewers have mentioned Saving Grapes would be a hysterical movie!

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May 13, 2020 Connie N. rated it it was ok

Shelves: net-galley-done, white, humor-light, chick-lit, tree-on-cover, france

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I just couldn't like this book. The premise had promise, and I was looking forward to a funny and charming book about a guy who inherits a vineyard in France and runs into problems when trying to take ownership. However, the main character turned out to be seriously annoying, beginning with the crazy reckless crime he commits in the first couple of pages, which is the start of all his legal troubles. Then he procee ...more

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Jun 21, 2020 Kathleen Herb rated it really liked it

The coincidences and the neatly tied together loose ends are a little unbelievable, but this was a lot of fun! It’s about a young man, Jason, his friend Stumpy, and a vineyard he will inherit if he does not go to jail. The problem is, he’s about to go to jail for wrecking his stepbrother’s golf course when he gets fired by the stepbrother. The resulting plot reads a bit “sitcom,” but it really is a page-turner, I read it in two days! And of course, even in France, 99% of nuns are not in habit in ...more

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Oct 05, 2020 Larry Johnson rated it liked it · review of another edition

I wanted to like this book more than I did--the premise sounded promising. However, I felt like I was reading the script of a Three Stooges movie. The writing and plot seemed aimed at an adolescent audience--certainly the protagonist, at 30+ years of age behaved in very juvenile ways. Although I have read other books I enjoyed despite having main characters that I found unlikable (eg., some of Anders de la Motte's books), those books had much more intriguing and engaging plots. I could see this ...more

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Jul 02, 2020 Renee Svendsen rated it really liked it

If you are looking for a quick, fun read with ridiculous characters that get themselves into ludicrous situations, then grab this book! Be prepared, it is slapstick and pretty much unbelievable but super FUN! If you are looking for literary genius or really like to be a critic of plain, tongue in cheek fun, pass on this one.

I was amazed that Lundy was able to resolve all the dilemmas in a pretty believable manner. A perfect read for the times.

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Jul 04, 2020 Holly Suber rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Delightful fun!!!

I LOVED this book! Not deep but completely engrossing. Laughed out loud and thoroughly enjoyed the read. I know these guys, remember growing up with them. So many crazy antics, but more than anything I enjoyed the ending. I will look for another one by this author.

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Sep 19, 2020 Kathy Norris rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Saving Grapes

I loved this book. Mr Lundy has a great sense of humor and flair for comedy that had me laughing out loud. At the same time, it was a wonderful story that I didn't see coming, with a perfect ending (that I didn't see coming either)! ...more

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Sep 03, 2017 Nancy rated it really liked it

Somewhat predictable but highly entertaining. This is a wonderful beach read. I would like to see this made into a movie!

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Jun 21, 2020 Alison rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Fun read. A bit over the top with shenanigans but cute

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Jun 22, 2020 Christina rated it really liked it

Easy, light, story with lots of laughs.

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Jun 24, 2020 Sylvia Mace added it · review of another edition

Loved it -- laughed a lot.

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Aug 15, 2020 Ginger K. Trent rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A fun read.

A light hearted, fun to read story. Almost more catastrophes, than should be in one book. The ending was perfect.

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Dec 14, 2014 Andrew rated it really liked it

Shelves: giveaway-book, humour, a-first-read, reviewed-2014

My copy of this is an advance reader's copy provided through Goodreads giveaway.

Well what can I say?

It took a while for me to adjust to and find the humour, Is US and English humour the same?

I found the first State side chapters a bit difficult, but once the central characters Jason and Stumpy (Jason's lifelong friend) became established, things became a bit easier to grasp.

Clearly Jason is not on good terms with Eustace, but they have after all been brought up as step-brothers by Aunt Clara. Ho ...more

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Feb 18, 2015 Vicki rated it liked it

J.T. Lundy, author of Saving Grapes, has a humorous idea, which is that Jason Barnes, a guy who habitually avoids hard work and responsible grown up behavior, is suddenly on track to inherit a vineyard worth millions...in France, no less! But his poor choices and boorish behavior mean he owes fines he has no money to pay, nor does he have money to buy a plane ticket to France. Not to be put off by the judge who is holding his passport, he has his friend Stumpy buy the tickets and actually BORROW J.T. Lundy, author of Saving Grapes, has a humorous idea, which is that Jason Barnes, a guy who habitually avoids hard work and responsible grown up behavior, is suddenly on track to inherit a vineyard worth millions...in France, no less! But his poor choices and boorish behavior mean he owes fines he has no money to pay, nor does he have money to buy a plane ticket to France. Not to be put off by the judge who is holding his passport, he has his friend Stumpy buy the tickets and actually BORROWS a passport, which, lucky for him, fools the TSA folks at the airport.

But in my opinion, Lundy did not create a sympathetic-enough bumbler to carry the lead. Barnes is selfish, self-centered and is apparently missing a moral compass. In anger, he destroys the property of his employer...maybe understandable, as his employer is also self-centered and selfish, and by the way, also his former step-brother.

It's harder to overlook Jason Barnes' harsh and unloving attitude toward his aunt, the woman who raised him, not to mention leaves him the vineyard! He has one loyal friend, but doesn't show him much in the way of kindness either. Once he gets to France, he realizes that the vineyard he is eager to sell is being run by some pretty formidable nuns who can prevent the sale of the vineyard if he does not cooperate with them.

As one might expect, the nuns show wisdom and patience beyond what Jason deserves, but in his desperation, he even steals from the nuns!! His former step-brother is hot on his trail, knowing that he stands to inherit the vineyard when Barnes fails to meet the criteria set by the judge and lawyers, and step-bro intends to do whatever it takes to prevent Jason from inheriting his aunt's vineyard. Lots of impersonating and trickery, even kidnapping, ensues, but the threat of a body cavity search was not appropriate in a romantic comedy, IMHO.

It is quite the adventure, but I am a little put off by the book's back cover blurb which compares Saving Grapes to P.G. Wodehouse's delightfully funny mad-cap romances, in which the women are always smart, the guys are hopelessly naive, and there is likely to be a brilliant valet, aka, Jeeves, to come up with the ingenious plan to solve the problem/win the girl's affection/save the day. Don't think the middle school body cavity humor would have made it into the Wodehouse books... ...more

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Jan 03, 2015 Jocelyn Khor rated it really liked it

I received this book via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

This was a fun and enjoyable read, undeniably. I'd say this book is a chick lit told in a male's point of view. Before this, I had never read and always avoided chick lit books by male authors because I used to think guys are supposed to be mature and calm, not silly and funny, running around falling in love. However, Saving Grapes changed my opinion, this sort of books can also be fun as usual chick lit books by female author.

Th I received this book via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

This was a fun and enjoyable read, undeniably. I'd say this book is a chick lit told in a male's point of view. Before this, I had never read and always avoided chick lit books by male authors because I used to think guys are supposed to be mature and calm, not silly and funny, running around falling in love. However, Saving Grapes changed my opinion, this sort of books can also be fun as usual chick lit books by female author.

The story itself was great. As the synopsis said, the main character, Jason, went to France with his best buddy, Stumpy. If you're expecting something serious and realistic, then no, don't read it. If you're someone like me who enjoys a fun, light-hearted read, then you definitely should pick this book up. Sure, the story might seems ridiculous sometimes, but hey, aren't all chick lit books like that? It's funny, it's enjoyable, it made me smirk, these proves that the story was amazing.

As for the characters, most of them were quite likable. Jason, by far, is my most favourite character in the story as I liked his sassy yet caring personality. The side characters were also certainly adorable! Stumpy, for example. The characters were the one who made the story memorable and entertaining to read.

As much as I like the story and characters, the author did a great job on writing out the atmosphere of France. I truly loved the beautiful setting and I felt like I could smell the baguettes and wines. I was able to picture the scene of the lovely vineyard where most of the story took place.

It was fast-paced and nicely done in my opinion. However, I thought the ending was too rushed. Everything happened too quickly and my brain simply couldn't handle it. Despite that, the story still ended the best way possible (J.T. Lundy, I see what you did there in the last few lines xD *wags eyebrow*). Loved the ending very much!

Overall, an amazing story and a very much pleasurable read. Will definitely check out more of the author's work! Highly recommend it to people looking for a fun read! ...more

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Feb 13, 2015 Lauren rated it it was amazing

Shelves: first-reads, favorites, surprises, quick-reads, cute

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 muc ...more

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Jan 04, 2015 Kathryn Laceby rated it liked it

Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes

Saving Grapes was a madcap race through the French countryside rather than a novel about character development for me. But it was fun and fast paced and the crazy situations definitely amused me.
I was occasionally frustrated about Jason’s character and liked that Stumpy eventually put his foot down and said enough was enough. But it was hard to get into the seriousness of the novel’s situations without really feeling for Jason. He seemed stuck between genuine ...more

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Jan 15, 2015 Kay Murphy rated it really liked it

I received an advance copy of Saving Grapes in exchange for my review.

Fun, quick read (I read it in two sessions). It was humorous, but not laugh-out-loud funny. It is the story of Jason Barnes, a lost 32-year-old with no direction in life. His only real relationship is with a fiercely loyal childhood friend. Jason had a lonely childhood and was raised by his Aunt Clara who conditionally wills him a vineyard in France upon her death. The story follows Jason and his loyal friend "Stumpy" (the ori ...more

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Jun 04, 2015 Gwyn Plummer rated it did not like it

After a very expensive golf cart mishap, Jason Barnes finds himself in hot-water and only sixty thousand dollars will get him out of it. To make matters worse, he has only 30 days to come up with it. With his best friend, Stumpy in tow, the men set out to France in hopes of selling the vineyard left to him by his Aunt Clara. The eighty-two problems with his plan all wear habits and spend their days worshiping God.

I received this book from Story Cartel, believing it was a romance, since that’s wh ...more

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Jan 25, 2015 Peggy rated it liked it

Shelves: free-to-review, z-2015

Jason (the main character of this story) finds himself in the position of having to pay the court a large sum of money in a month – or go to jail. Just in the nick of time, he discovers that he has inherited a vineyard in France. He thinks this is the answer to all of his problems, so he and his friend, Stumpy, hop on a plane and go to France. They find that the vineyard is being operated by an order of nuns – and selling it to raise the money Jason needs won’t be as easy as he had hoped.
This n ...more

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Jun 09, 2015 Sarah rated it really liked it

This was a bit slow to start with but turned into quite a lovely story. It was sweet and once I got into quite an easy read.

I struggled to stay with this story originally but then decided I really wanted to find out what happened to Jason after his court case didn’t quite turn out the way he hoped or I thought it would. It became a bit of an underdog story and I found myself really routing for Jason to get his life together.

I did connect with Jason on some level as I wanted to give him a shake ...more

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About J.T. Lundy

J.T. Lundy

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J.T. Lundy, a 2014 Thurber Prize for American Humor Semi-Finalist, lives in Naperville, Illinois, where he writes novels and screenplays, and attempts to help his wife manage the chaos from raising three growing boys. He likes to read, write, travel, and eat good food. A graduate of Indiana University, he also holds an MFA from Spalding University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.