Vis Ta Vie: A Story of Secrets and Farewells
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
At the Vis Ta Vie inn, Reneé and Jean-Paul De La Rue face the daunting decision to close their beloved home for good.
They’re not the only ones going through a season of change, though. Their guests include three couples in crisis: Hollywood celebs Leo and Penny are spending their silver anniversary together while on the cusp of divorce. Lucy, a practical-minded therapist, and Henry, an astronomer with his head in the stars, are struggling to find common ground. And former lawyer and current stay-at-home mom Sienna and charismatic sports agent Adam look perfect but are hiding rifts of their own. Thrown into the mix are self-absorbed single mother Cassidy and her sullen fifteen-year-old daughter, Rosalie.
The stage is set for a week of betrayals, regrets, and shocking truths that can rend the heart or heal it. Vis Ta Vie―live your life―captures what it means to love through the darkness, and to find the light even after the magic fades.
- Publisher : Lake Union Publishing
- Published: February 25, 2025
- Paperback : 363 pages
A Story That Will Tug At Your Heartstrings
Vis Ta Vie is a charming inn known for bringing people together with excellent food and wine in a beautiful North Carolina setting. It has been a sanctuary for its owners, Renee and Jean-Paul De La Rue, and their cherished guests. However, financial troubles have forced the De La Rues to close their beloved inn. Unbeknownst to their current guests, this will be the inn’s final week of operation. This poignant tale told through alternating, multiple points of view, unravels over these last bittersweet days.
The Guests
Leo and Penny
Leo and Penny are a glamorous Hollywood couple seeking respite from the relentless spotlight. Despite their public personas, their relationship is fraught with tension and unresolved issues. As they navigate their stay at the inn, they are confronted with the cost of fame and the challenges it brings to their marriage.
Adam, Sienna, Henry, and Lucy
Adam and Sienna, along with their college friends Henry and Lucy, have cherished their annual retreats to Vis Ta Vie. Over the years, the inn has become a haven where they can reconnect and escape the pressures of everyday life. However, beneath their laughter and camaraderie lies a web of unspoken truths that threaten to unravel their friendships.
Cassidy and Rosalie
Cassidy and her daughter Rosalie have a tradition of alternating vacation spots each year. This time, it was Rosalie’s turn to choose, and she decided on the picturesque charm of Vis Ta Vie. However, both mother and daughter face extreme challenges.
The Owners: Renee and Jean-Paul De La Rue
Renee and Jean-Paul have poured their hearts into Vis Ta Vie, creating a warm and welcoming space for their guests. The inn is more than just a business; it is a reflection of their dreams and love. As they grapple with the impending closure, they must confront the reality of their financial struggles and the impact it will have on their lives. They will also be faced with a challenge neither could have imagined.
Unveiling Secrets
As the week unfolds, the idyllic setting is gradually overshadowed by underlying tensions and long-held secrets. Each character faces their dilemmas, forcing them to confront their fears, insecurities, and desires. The narrative deftly weaves these personal journeys together, creating a tapestry of emotion and intrigue.
Final Thoughts
With a masterful touch, Weinstein crafts a story that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. The characters, though flawed and vulnerable, find moments of clarity and connection amidst their struggles. As the final day at Vis Ta Vie arrives, the guests and owners alike are left with poignant memories and newfound insights.
As I closed the last page, it felt like I was saying goodbye to dear friends. The story left an indelible mark, reminding me of the fragility of dreams and the resilience of the human spirit.
My thanks to Book Sparks and Rochelle B Weinstein for a #gifted book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rochelle B. Weinstein is the USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of What You Do To Me, When We Let Go, This Is Not How It Ends, Somebody’s Daughter, Where We Fall, The Mourning After, and What We Leave Behind. A former entertainment industry executive, she splits her time between sunny South Florida and the mountains of North Carolina. Rochelle is a voracious reader who has shared monthly book picks on Miami’s NBC-6 and is currently the book contributor for Miami’s AQUA Magazine and literary salon Women Writers, Women’s Books. This champion of writers also teaches publishing workshops at Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library. Her eighth novel, We Are Made of Stars, releases February 2025. She is already plotting out books nine and ten.
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