Fade into red by Reshma K. Barshikar

Ayra always wanted to be an Art Historian. She saw herself flitting between galleries, talking Michelangelo and Dali with glamorous ease. At twenty–nine, life has decided to make her an underpaid investment banker juggling an eccentric family, a fading career and a long–distance relationship that is becoming a light-year one. On a monsoon day in June, she is suddenly sent packing from Mumbai to Tuscany to buy a vineyard for a star client. What should have been a four day trip turns into a two week treasure hunt that finds her in the middle of midnight wine deals, dodgy vintners, rolling Tuscan hills, a soap opera family and one playboy millionaire who is looking to taste more than just the wine. Towards the end she finds that the road to true happiness is almost as elusive as that perfect glass of Chianti.

Nimue Says: Fade into Red is the story of Arya but somehow it captures a lot of moments and thought of  many independent modern indian women who some times get too caught up between a successful career and being available for the people you love and value. The story for me was kind of predictable with two possible endings , which was finalized after three-fourths of the book. But what kept the book going for me was the way it was written. Some times the books tend to get uninterested when they talk of the business details and of a particular process. But not this one - the locations , the wine making process and traditions , the investment details all were so beautifully woven into the story that everything was a neat package. I fell in love with the countryside and the vineyards I guess , after this book ,Tuscany definitely made into my list of places to visit in this lifetime.

Reshma has given a wonderful sense of humor and wit to Arya, sarcasm and charms to Ishaan and so much credibility to the family and friends. I liked Arya's friend super much and some of the conversations reminded me of my bestie. Arya's traditional family and the beauty of their bonds was very warm. I loved Arya's boyfriend as he was the much needed balancing guy in Arya's life. The book kept me smiling and engaged till the last line.

My rating: 4/5

Book Links:
Amazon : http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/8184005547/
Flipkart : http://www.flipkart.com/fade-into-red-english/p/itmdw3t5jtkttzjm
Crossword : http://www.crossword.in/books/fade-into-red/p-books-9788184005547.html