These Tangled Vines by Julianne MacLean

 "This was my reality going forward. What good could come from grappling forever with 'could have beens'? Every life was full of 'could have beens.' The best we could do was make the most of what was and what had been."                      -Fiona's thoughts, from the novel        

This was an Amazon First Reads and I am glad I selected it. It is the first novel I have read from this author but I liked her style. The reading was easy, the main characters were likeable and you've got to love the setting---Tuscany!

In 2017 Fiona Bell gets a surprise phone call that sets the plot rolling. Her biological father, Anton Clark, whom she has never met, has passed away and she is a beneficiary of his will. As far as Fiona knows only she and her deceased mother are aware of this connection. Anton Clark was owner of a very well-known vineyard, Maurizio Wines, in Italy. Though Fiona has known nothing about this man and his relationship with her mother and, in fact, has thought the worst of him, she decides to go to Italy to see what her inheritance might be. She has been primary caretaker of her paraplegic father, Freddie, since her mother, Lillian, died and she thinks that, at the very least, a financial windfall could make life easier for them.

When she arrives at the Clark property, she is greeted warmly by the help, but skeptically by her half-sister and brother, Sloane and Conner. All three of them are surprised by meeting a secret sibling(s). Needless to say the two "legitimate" heirs are upset to think they might not get all of daddy's wealth, which is considerable.

By chapter 7 the reader meets Lillian, flashing back in time to 1986, when she and her husband, Freddie, go to Italy to help him with the writing of his novel. There Lillian takes a job as a tour guide at Maurizio Wines, working for Anton Clark. The story moves back and forth then, mostly between Lillian and Fiona as more is revealed about the mysterious relationship between Lillian and Anton. Far be it for me to spoil the plot, so you will have to read to get the details.

As I read the novel which is based on a family secret, the title reminded me of the phrase "Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive." (Sir Walter Scott). Other themes of love, sacrifice and forgiveness make this a worthwhile read. I rate These Tangled Vines a strong 4. 

By the way, the story surely made me "thirsty" to visit Tuscany and tour some vineyards---and, of course, do some wine tasting!