The Other You by Marion Ueckermann

Heart of Africa #1 

Paperback, ebook

February 16, 2017

by Marion Ueckermann

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 
• ISBN-13: 978-1543087956

Who am I? The question has Taylor Cassidy journeying from one side of America to the other seeking an answer. Almost five years brings her no closer to the truth. 

Now an award-winning photojournalist for Wines & Vines, Taylor is sent on assignment to South Africa to discover the inspiration behind Aimee Amour, the DeBois estate’s flagship wine. 

Mystery has enshrouded the story of the woman for whom the wine is named. South African winegrower Armand DeBois’s world is shattered when a car accident leaves him in a coma for three weeks, and his young wife dead. The road of recovery and mourning is dark, and Armand teeters between falling away from God and falling into His comforting arms. 

When Armand and Taylor meet, questions arise for them both. While the country and the winegrower hold a strange attraction for Taylor, Armand struggles with the uncertainty of whether he’s falling in love with his past or his future.

My thoughts: THE OTHER YOU is probably the first full-length I read by Ms. Ueckermann. I have read a novella by her. Ms. Ueckermann's stories are set mostly in South Africa. 

When Taylor finds out that she was adopted at birth she hits the ceiling, immediately disowns her adoptive parents and heads across country where she becomes an acclaimed photographer for a wine magazine in NYC.  When assigned to South Africa, she balks, but ultimately ends up going. 

Armand doesn't handle it well when his wife of two weeks dies and when he meets Taylor he is instantly in love with Aimee reincarnated. But he doesn't tell Taylor. And he hides her from all his family and friends. . . 

I'll leave that where it is and say no more about the plot so I won't give away spoilers.  The story read well and it was interesting learning about the South African wine growers and the nation's unrest. The ending did feel rather contrived. 

For the more conservative readers, there is wine drinking included, some drunkenness, and there are some religious questions, thoughts, that I disagree with the theology behind  but there IS a faith message which is a plus. 

I bought this as part of the Whispers of Love Romance collection. No review was required.