Vines After the Fire

After the wildfire, nothing would ever grow the same… except maybe love. Six months after flames tore through South Africa's Franschhoek Valley, soil scientist Naledi Khoza arrives to assess the damage to a family vineyard steeped in ash and memory. She expects cracked earth, failing vines, and long hours in the lab — not the guarded vineyard owner whose heart seems as scorched as his land. Christiaan Lategan has lost almost everything: his vines, his pride, and the trust that kept his family estate alive. With a cousin pushing to sell and an investor circling like a hawk, saving the vineyard feels impossible. Until Naledi's stubborn determination — and the quiet fire in her eyes — makes him believe in second chances. As they battle fungal outbreaks, unpredictable soil, and a looming harvest deadline, attraction blooms between them like the first green shoots after rain. But to save the land — and their hearts — they'll have to fight against more than the fire's aftermath. They'll have to fight for each other. Perfect for fans of small-town romance, slow-burn love stories, and emotional journeys of healing, Vines After the Fire is a lyrical, heart-stirring novel of resilience, community, and the kind of love that takes root against all odds.