A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole

Wendy and Amy shed at least a thousand tears / For Tillie Cole's young loves heartbreaking fears. / Will Poppy collect her thousand boy kisses? / Pop a cork to Rune fulfilling her wishes!

Show Notes:

Author Tillie Cole's Webpage
Jules Prosecco Rose link
Writer's Write Blog: "The Four Pillars of Romance" Article by Oliver Fox.
Boozy Book Talk Podcast

Next Episode: "The Count and the Wedding Guest" by O. Henry paired with Clara C Prosecco Rose. 

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Transcript

Prosecco N Prose | Season 4 | Episode 36 | A Thousand Boy Kissesby Tillie Cole.                  

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Co-hosts: Wendy and Amy

Wendy (W): Welcome to Prosecco and Prose Episode 36.

Amy (A): This week’s prosecco is Jules Prosecco Rosé. 

W: This week’s prose is A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole.                        

 * * * INTRO * * *

A: This week’s prose was a real tear-jerker.

W: It was. Our first of the season. I hope this isn’t an omen for our next reads. I can’t have my heart breaking the rest of the season.

A: Can’t make any promises on that, but I think we need to have some tissue on hand just in case. Because you read ahead. I like a book that gets me to emote.

W: Oh me, too. I just can’t take the emotional fallout over and over. I’ll have to break it up with some thrillers. Get my heart racing in another way.

A: I would think a love story would be a break from a thriller, not the other way around. 

W: Hmmm. Maybe for some. Ruffino says I’m not enough of a romantic to appreciate romance stories.

A: Instead, he has to sleep with one eye open. Poor guy. He does. I’ve seen what you read, Wendy.

W: It’s even more fun when I get to give him a book synopsis. But back to romance and love and this beautifully labeled Jules Prosecco Rosé. I love, love can I say it again…love, love this label. The pink is perfect. The gold is perfect. The simplicity is perfect. I want a dress made in these colors. You know, actually, I think I just bought some material in these colors. This label inspires me.

A: I can see. I do agree with you, though, It’s very, very pretty.

W: I think it’s my favorite of the whole season. This is a label that makes me want to buy the bottle.

A: And it went so well with our book, our Poppy’s love story. 

W: It did. Now there’s not a whole lot on this label. It just say it’s a DOC and 11% and it says Juliann Gold Gambino in gold script on the front. That’s about it.

A: It’s pretty sparse. And it’s a Brut, so on the drier end.

W: I did find this a bit humorous …. There’s a bit of a warning: Oh yes… “Caution: Contents under pressure. Do not shake. Chill well, point bottle away from self and others, and Amy and Wendy then twist cork out slowly by hand. Who are these people Never use a corkscrew?” Didn’t we use a corkscrew. It almost gave me diarrhea. That feels like a warning for Americans. And the owners are American born, so it just kind of struck me. I’ve never seen that on any other prosecco bottle.

A: I haven’t either. Sounds like someone’s covering all bases…There’ll be no Jules suits here. No Never.

W: Now I did a little digging because, like I said, this one just intrigues me. So, this husband and wife team, Tommaso and Juliann, Jules, which our prosecco today is named for, launched their first prosecco in 2015 in the U.S.

A: I’ll have to be on the lookout for their other Proseccos.

W: Oh yeah, same. Now this Jules, from their description, “....is a blend of 88% Glera grapes and 12% Pinot Noir grapes, we talked about this blend this year. Right. The pale pink fizz is said to have a lively perlage and aromas of white flowers, apple, you like apple. I do. strawberry and pear with a clean finish.”

A: Apple? I haven’t been getting much of that this season, so I’ll see if it comes out on this one.

W: And I know you’ll let us know if you do. I so will. I found one more thing that was interesting about the blend.

A: What was that?

W: I found an article where the owners said the blend was 90% Glera and 10% of this raboso grape, which is a grape grown in the Treviso region —

A: Wait, I thought prosecco rosé could only have Pinot Noir grapes?

W: Same. But they said in the interview the rosé contains a small amount of raboso, a red grape that gives it the blush color. Of course, I had to go down that rabbit hole to find out what that was.

A: Did you mean the raboso hole? Maybe…so what did you find out?

W: Well, the most interesting thing I found was that raboso is derived from the word rabioso, hope im saying that right. which means angry and could be a reference to the aggressive tannins, Tannin…yes, those things that give you a dry sensation in your mouth when drinking wine, and the high acidity of wines made from these grapes.

A: Interesting. I thought you’d like that

W: Or the name raboso could come from the Raboso River that runs through Veneto’s eastern Treviso province.

A: Boring! Unless it’s red! But seeing as we’re literary ladies doing a season of romance, I’m going with the more literary and romantic reason. Though, I suppose a river can be romantic. Maybe with a gondola Red or not! Wow!

W: I think it can. I also saw that on older versions of this bottle is was labeled as a Rosé Sparkling Wine so maybe it used to be the blend?

A: Prosecco Rose is newer. Who knows? But I do know while you were schooling us on all things Jules Prosecco Rosé, I went ahead and poured our glasses, and I know you said lively perlage, but I’m not really seeing too much of that. I handwashed the glasses this time. There was a decent mousse on the pour, but it dissipated pretty quickly. There is a bit of bubbles in the glass, but it’s pretty moderate.

W: There are some bubbles in the glass, but not very many at all. I know you handwash I wouldn’t call it lively perlage from what I see. Not if you can handwash them.

A: I don’t think I would either. Now thinking back to our grapes and whether it’s Pinot Noir or raboso, how did you say that? You can really see an orange tint in this one. It’s a very salmony-coral color when you put it against the wall. Pretty, but definitely more orange than any of the others so far.

W: Yes, it’s a coral-pink, and pretty, like you said. I guess I was thinking it might be more pink in color based on the label, which I realize doesn’t make any sense, but that’s what I thought.

A: Makes sense to me.  I’ve tried to sniff it as long as we’ve been going on… it’s definitely yeasty on the smell.

W: Oh yeah, yeast for sure. Makes me think of the Syltbar we had.

A: Yes! Do you smell a bit of vinegar?

W: Ummm…we just popped it…little bit of vinegar on it. No, not getting any of that, but I’m also not really getting any other smell.

A: I’m not either…yet! Let’s try it and see if that changes.

W: Well, it’s not super fizzy in the mouth … I have to tell you I’m not sure what I’m getting yet. 

A: Mmmmm … That’s berries! Definitely strawberry.

W: Really? I think I’m tasting berries; you are but I’m not sure what. I can’t pick out anything very specific. This is dry though. Very…very…I do like it. It’s kind-of different.

A: It so reminds me of Syltbar. I so get the yeast when I swill.

W: Are you done? I think the smell reminds me of Syltbar, but I can’t say I’m getting it on the taste. It’s kind-of clean-tasting, if you can say that.

A: Well, they did, so I think you can, but like soap?

W: Not like soap or anything, just light. So far. It’s light.

A: It is light, you know you’re drinking something, but it’s kind of like you're not even drinking. I don’t know, it’s hard to describe but it is good. I like it. It’s starting to sound like we don’t, though.

W: I know I know. I might be a little thick tongued. But we do and we’ll keep you posted as we work through the bottle. Let’s talk about our author, Tillie Cole.

A: Tillie Cole is an English writer. She was also a high school social studies teacher who followed her rugby playing husband around Europe for get these six years and has lived in Italy, she’s lived in the US, and Canada. We know a little bit about following husbands around.

W: And teaching. So, Cole published her first book in 2013 and has since written 36 books, several of which are series. I can’t even write a journal entry. 

A: Wow! She’s been busy!

W: You might be interested in this, you don’t know this her first book, Sweet Home, is the first in a series of five, do you like series The Sweet Home series, that takes place at the University of Alabama.

A: Shut up! I mean Roll Tide!

W: Yup. Oh my god are you serious It’s a football story, a college story, and a bit about life after college. I’m going to have to read…oh my gosh. it just because, I mean.

A: Well, yeah, definitely going to be looking for that series. You know my son and daughter in law are Bama Graduates!

W: Hence why I brought it up. We have a huge group of Alabama followers. Now Cole writes in the genres of romance, new adult romance, young adult romance, dark romance, contemporary romance, and chick lit, 36 duh…so if any of that appeals to you, be sure to check out her webpage for more books and info. https://tilliecole.com/

A: Now this book we’re discussing today was written in 2016 and is a stand-alone novel, yes, it is…not a series though I wouldn’t mind getting Rune’s story as a little companion novel.

W: I wouldn’t mind that either. Had to tangent. I wouldn’t mind that either. You never know.

A: She did give us his point of view in the story, and an epilogue.

W: I know, but I mean his story after and you know I wasn’t a fan of the epilogue.

A: I know, I know but I’m saying we got a peek and that might be all we get. So, let's Sip, Swill, and Let’s Summarize! 

W: Alright Miss Alliterate. But it might be, I’m just saying, if you ever are stumped for ideas, Ms. Cole, there’s one. Rune’s story. Okay, summary, and spoilers ahead … oh yeah, always… Age five, Poppy and Rune meet when Rune moves in next door from Norway and Poppy declares them best friends for infinity. 

A: Age eight, Poppy’s beloved Grandma, Mamaw, such a southern name…it is…she passes away, but before she goes, she gives Poppy a jar full of pink paper hearts. Mamaw tells Poppy this is her adventure, to collect and record a 1000 boy kisses that are the most special, the ones that make her heart almost burst, the ones Poppy will want to remember when she’s old. A bit of foreshadowing here?

W: Just a bit. Can I ask you a question? Mama mamaw mama, mamam, When she tells Rune, he’s not nearly as excited at Mamaw’s dying wish.

A: He’s not, but then he gives Poppy her first kiss and promises to give Poppymin, his name for Poppy, her thousand kisses. Oh so sweet.

W: Age 15, Rune and his family move back to Norway after his father must relocate for work. You do feel like your life is ripped out at that age. That’s right. Rune and Poppy promise to keep in touch and they do talk every day, for two months, but then, Poppy just stops. No calls, no emails, no texts. Nothing. She vanishes from Rune’s life.

A: So, at Age 17, Rune and his family move back to Georgia, Georgia and they move back next door to Poppy and her family. After carefully avoiding each other, Poppy can see Rune has changed and is not the boy she loved and knew when he left, Rune finally confronts her in their blossom grove, cherry blossom grove…dc area…demanding answers as to why she went silent.

W: I could have pictured it better after seeing cherry blossoms here in DC. Different pink. Poppy finally tells him she’s dying and thought it would be easier for him to move on and she didn’t want him to see her suffer. They get back together and spend nearly every minute together. Every minute. Every minute Rune is determined to give Poppy her thousand boy kisses.

A: But just before Poppy dies, she gives Rune his own jar of hearts, a thousand girl kisses, sending him on his own adventure to live and to love. So, at age 18, a year after Poppy’s death, Rune, along with the community, releases Poppy’s kisses in Chinese lanterns in their cherry blossom grove. As a young kid would this just not be delicious. 

W: And that’s where I think the story should’ve ended. It was just so beautiful and perfect.

A: But it didn’t. Get over this. Age 28, ten years later we have the epilogue. I love this epilogue.  Rune is dreaming of Poppy and the dream starts to become very real to him. He has died, never filling his jar of hearts, and will now be with his Poppymin for infinity. I loved it. Unexpected, but wow.

W: Yeah, definitely a difference of opinion there, but I feel a bit justified because we listened to the Boozy Book Talk podcast, “A Thousand Hit or Miss Tears” episode, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-5-a-thousand-hit-or-miss-tears/id1571355044?i=1000535162009 and they were not huge fans of the ending either. They felt it didn’t make sense and really wanted Rune to find someone.

A: Right. I personally loved the ending because I feel that we will always be reunited with our loved ones after death, but I understand their position. And yours as well.

W: I thought one of them had a funny spin on that idea, what if Rune had married and then come back with his wife and now, we have some drama in the afterlife. That just kind of cracked me up. It wasn’t that Rune didn’t marry or find someone or anything like that, I just felt the scene in the blossom grove with the lanterns lifting to the night sky with all of Poppy’s kisses was just I mean just such a beautiful ending and the epilogue took that away for me.

A: But didn’t you want to know what happened to Rune? I mean didn’t you want them too finally be together? Forever? Infinity?

W: I thought I did, but after I read it, I didn’t. I wished I didn’t know. But want to say that it didn’t ruin the book for me. It just didn’t add to the book for me.

A: Okay. I get that. Now our Boozy Book Talk ladies — let’s get back to them. This is a podcast after our own heart! … it is! Boozy…book talk … They had a discussion that felt like a true face-to-face book club. I really enjoyed it. That’s why we started this podcast. Because we couldn’t have our face-to-face book club. 

W: I did, too. Really enjoyed their banter. I enjoyed their discussion about how the characters acted, and you and I talked about this as well, but they felt like maybe it was too much, didn’t find them exactly believable, and I felt that way as well, at first. I talked to you about that. 

A: It was an emotional book and these were emotional characters.

W: Yes, that was what I was going to say… but also, they were teenagers and I just think your emotions are a bit over the top at that age. Either you cry a lot or you’re overly horny. I was always crying.  I think some kids that age would really feel as strongly and as deeply as these two characters did. The ladies also added that it could be the age they are now reading the book because if they had read it as teenagers, some of them felt they probably would have loved it more. And I do think that’s certainly a fair point.

A: And Cole is writing for that group, she was writing for me too. we’re just a bit late to the party, we have wrinkles but I really did like the book and the Boozy Book Talk’s discussion of it. Definitely will be listening to these ladies again. And again…and again…I subscribed. 

W: Yes, fun group and discussion. Be sure to check them out and leave them a rating or review. Amy will put a link to their podcast in our show notes. 

A: We’d love for you to leave us a quick rating and review as well.

W: Super simple, super appreciated by us and takes just a minute. You can do that on apple or on Spotify. Grazie mille.

A: That means a thousand thanks. So, tropes …. We found so many in this one. We’re going to give you our list and then talk about just a few. I think. We’re going to try to keep it a few. We could take an hour and talk about all. 

W: Operative word being try. But it was a tropey book.

A: It was. Number 1, we have coming of age and with that, small town, first love, and ah second chance at love. We have Poppy and Rune were each other’s first love, we can agree on that…childhood sweethearts, and then get a second chance at their love when Rune moves back.

W: And I think you can throw in soulmates with that batch. Yeah yeah…They both talked a lot about their hearts being the other’s half.  Yeah, they definitely believed they were soulmates.

A: They did and their horrible curse that conspires to keep them apart is Poppy’s cancer, andI think Rune died young to seal the deal of them being soulmates.

W: Okay, I can appreciate that angle. Two others I found that aren’t as strong but I think deserve a mention are alpha male, Rune definitely was that and I also read it’s a common theme or trope in Cole’s books; and maybe a touch of forbidden love. We do see a brief glimpse that her parents don’t want her with Rune when he comes back and is so changed.

A: That’s probably our weakest one.

W: I agree, but I think we can still call it. We also have girl next door.

A: Or boy next door. Rune was her big, strong, adventurous Viking, sneaking into her room at night. How did they not get caught?

W: I feel like somebody, Mom, knew. One of the moms knew. Moms just know everything. 

A: Well, nobody spoke up. You know that wouldn’t be me.

W: … laughing … I know, but this wasn’t your story.

A: No, I didn’t barge in the room ruining their little love cuddles.

W: Good thing! That could’ve ruined the story.

A: Ended it is more like it. Shared pasts were another trope we found. Poppy and Rune have this history, and it’s a wonderful history, but then Poppy vanishes and when Rune returns, they need to resolve that break in their relationship.

W: They also need to overcome the changes they’ve both made. Rune is angry, bitter, hurt, Poppy is dying and trying to bring happiness and joy to herself and everyone else around her. 

A: She really wants those around her to focus on living, not only while she’s there, but also while she’s gone.

W: Yes. Our Poppy was not a wallflower. And that brings us to our main trope, terminal situations. Rune has fallen in love with Poppy, who is terminally ill.

A: And Poppy, facing this life-threatening illness must help Rune deal with the finality of the situation.

W: I loved how Rune did everything in his power to give Poppy the dreams she would never be able to realize. The trip to New York, I mean, you needed tissues for like the back half of the book every other page. They were young, but they were a special couple.

A: Oh, they were. I just loved how Rune was there until the very end and then how Poppy waited for him in the garden until his death.

W: You put it very romantically, but I still don’t like the epilogue.

A: Well, I know a lot of people did though.

W: I know. And I’m glad for them. Let’s put this to the pillars test.

A: As we’ve mentioned in previous episodes, we are looking at each piece of prose using Oliver Fox’s article “The 4 Pillars of Romance from the Writer’s Write Blog. Pillar 1 - The Couple: Lover and Beloved.

W: Rune and Poppy, Poppy and Rune. I think at different times they each assumed both roles. It flipped back and forth. Since we got the story through both of their eyes, I felt like the character telling the story became the lover during their telling of it. If that makes sense.

A: It does, I do think Rune is stronger as the lover and Poppy often paints him that way, but I can see her in the role sometimes as well. And the way Cole had them each tell the story in first person gave it such a romantic and believable feel.

W: Yeah, I really liked that as well. I definitely prefer stories with more than one viewpoint. So, for Pillar 1, we know what our couple, Poppy and Rune want, it’s each other from the moment they meet.

A: And it’s not exactly hard to see how they're going to get it, they’re next-door neighbors and Rune’s sneaking into her room night after night.

W: And they’re best friends first. Isn’t that a trope? Yeah, friends to lovers. Can’t believe we missed that one.

A: Oh wow. How did we not think of that one? Maybe the age of our characters? And it kind-of felt like they were in love from the jump rather than friends, maybe.

W: Yeah, maybe that’s it. So finally, why do they want it?

A: This comes back to our author, Tilly wanted the readers to believe in perfect, true love. That there’s someone for everyone.

W: I see what you’re saying, but I’m going to play devil’s advocate, then she’s also saying there’s only one someone for each of us.

A: Yes! No! Wait, what do you mean?

W: Well, Rune never finds love again. He only ever has Poppy. So, it could be looked at as a bit hopeless if you find your one true love when you’re very young and then lose them.

A: That’s a terrible way to look at it! Josh and I were young loves and my son and his bride have known each other since they were four years old, didn’t have a chance to live next door, though, thank goodness, but I think because of all that, this story just resonated with the true love they have and with me. Tillie gave their relationship, Rune and Poppy’s, a magical feel to it.

W: No! I totally get what you’re saying and I think that’s beautiful, but I’m a bit more of a cynic. My first love did not work out, but I got a second chance with Ruffino. I think my own personal story supports why I didn’t like the epilogue and yours supports why you do. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Authors cannot, and should never try, please every reader. 

A: Okay, that makes sense. Geez, Wendy! That was a bit intense. I need a prosecco repour after that. You getting anything new?

W: It was and I’ll take a bit more as well. Maybe a bit of citrus, like a lemonade strawberry, heavier on the citrus than the berry. It's really refreshing and I'm definitely enjoying it. What about you?

A: Oh, I like it. A lot. And the vinegar smell I got in the beginning is gone. It might have just been an initial scent with the yeast. The yeastiness isn’t as strong either.

W: No, it isn’t.

A: No apple this round, but I’m still getting strawberry. The bubbles on the roof of my mouth make me picture little strawberry seeds. It’s like tiny specks of strawberry seeds are popping in my mouth and gives me even more of a sense of strawberry.

W: Wow! You’re turning this into a very visual drink.

A: Just building the picture for everybody listening.

W: Yes, you are. I think you just made me taste more strawberry.

A: … I’m a little bit good.

W: Okay, okay. Pillar 2 - The Obstacles: Rivals, Taboos, and Loved Ones—Oh My!

A: Our first obstacle is the move. Rune’s family moving back to Norway changed him.

W: Did the move change him or did Poppy dropping out of his life change him? 

A: Well, both, of course, but his anger at his father for the move festered in him, and when Poppy disappeared, that anger towards his father just grew.

W: Yes, that’s true. It did always come back to his dad and how if they hadn’t moved, none of what followed would’ve happened.

A: Right. He would’ve known from the start the biggest obstacle of the story, Poppy’s cancer. 

W: And we wouldn’t have had an obstacle or a story.

A: It certainly would’ve been a very different story, though maybe not so different, since they do end up back together.

W: They do, and we have the tension of them overcoming a two-year silence. An abandonment of Rune from Poppy. At least he sees it that way.

A: I think he does. And he’s so, so angry. Poppy has to work under his hard shell to find her Rune. Which is one of her obstacles.

W: Yes, that and not having everyone run around and feel sorry for her.

A: She did not want that. Now Poppy’s dad was also an obstacle, to an extent.

W: He was. He was not impressed with the Rune that returned from Norway, mom wasn’t really either, and didn’t really relish Poppy spending time with him.

A: He, her father, just wanted Poppy to be safe and not get hurt. Protecting his daughter, and to be fair, Rune came back looking like a bad boy and smelling like a pack of cigs!

W: He did. No rivals that I can think of. You?

A: Well, we had flash-in-the-pan Avery, but I think she was put there to show Rune’s unbreakable love for Poppy. To show that nothing could break that bond.

W: Oh yeah, she was there for all of 30 seconds. I wouldn’t say there were any taboos either.

A: Nope. Nothing out of the norm of a Viking dating a Georgia peach.

W: Nothing at all. Pillar 3 - The Romantic Arc: Winning and Losing and … Winning Back Again?

A: Oh, we had this. Our couple met at age 5, and became instant best friends.

W: For infinity, they promise. At age 8, after Poppy’s grandma passes, they start to fall in love, triggered by the jar of a thousand boy kisses and adventure grandma exhorts Poppy to go on with her dying breath. 

A: And Rune wants to be the only one to kiss Poppy and so their pursuit starts there.

W: They grow closer and closer over the next few years, falling in love. But then, Rune leaves. Moves back to Norway.

A: Poppy cuts off all contact and Rune loses his beloved. He’s absolutely crushed. Devastated.

W: I think that’s an absolutely awful way to leave a person. I really felt for Rune. I would be so angry, too. I mean, at least give a reason. Or say bye, I think it’s best we go our separate ways. Something. Anything! I would not like that. At. All. It would drive me insane. It has driven me insane.

A: I don’t think I could do that to someone. But I get her reasons why, they made sense to me, but also, why not have people you love and love you close. To help get you through. Teenagers. We don’t always make the best decisions. 

W: No, we don’t! But Rune comes back, learns of Poppy’s diagnosis and wins her back.

A: Because he does have to win her back. And he knows that.

W: But then he loses her again. And this time it is final.

A: But it’s not, because they meet again after his death and live happily ever after.

W: Okay, sure, I suppose. What I will say, is we have a very romantic arc.

A: And a very romantic ending. Pillar 4 - The Lover’s Sacrifice.

W: I’m still on the fence about this romantic epilogue ending. Well, I think we both would say Poppy sacrificed her happiness in hopes that Rune could find happiness.

A: Yes, but I don’t think she realized the true depth of his feelings for her. She didn’t want him to watch her suffer or feel obligated to her in any way. She knew her time was short and her wish was that Rune would find love and happiness with someone else and live his life.

W: She did.

A: I think she was relieved to have him back, and supporting her, loving her until the very end. How could she not?

W: Oh, most definitely. 

A: And Rune sacrificed his future of finding someone to love. He never filled his jar of 1000 girl kisses. He was true to Poppy until they met again in death.

W: … He did. But that’s what he wanted. I guess I can’t fault him for that. I just didn’t need to know it.

A: Well, some of us did. I loved how they both accepted their fate together …. She was dying and he was able to love her until the end.

W: Now I did like that. I would say their goal, their love, was very, very important to both of them.

A: It was. Definitely fits all the pillars. I really liked this one. I think it would be such a good book club book. There’s just so much to talk about.

W: There is. And I know I’ve been knocking on the epilogue, but I really liked this one as well. That was the only part I didn’t like.

A: Which, if anyone wants more on Rune and what happened, Tillie Cole has a video on her Facebook page explaining it. I will say the only thing I didn’t care for was the age appropriateness of young kisses, sleepovers, trips without parents, no curfew …. This did seem weird to me, but as a young person, I would’ve loved it. Of course.

W: Exactly. Remember, we aren’t exactly her target audience with this one.

A: Yes, that’s true. But a good read. A good tearjerker. I recommend it. And this prosecco. Jules. Love the name, it’s so simple, like our heroine. How is it that we match these up so perfectly before even knowing what happens in the book?

W: It’s our special skill. I would recommend this book as well. Just not to my niece. She doesn’t like sad books. And this prosecco, too. I’d recommend it just based on the label. I know I’ve said it a bunch already, but it is so pretty.

A: And the prosecco in it’s not bad either.

W: Not at all. It’s really simple, nice, and I get the clean finish they talked about. I never did get much of anything else from it, but it’s easy to drink, refreshing, not too bubbly. I can see sipping this again.

A: It’s good. I really like it. This is quality you’re tasting, Wendy!

W: I’m not disagreeing! I think it would be nice with a couple raspberries in the glass, maybe sushi with some wasabi, or a shrimp cocktail. Something with some spice.

A: Yes! I think Costco’s jalapeño dip. Something with a bite to it.

W: Oh yes! Love that stuff. We need to get them to stock that here.

A: We do. It was so good with the spicy dark chocolate and the sea salt dark chocolate. The dark chocolate is just so good with these prosecco rosés.

W: They are. That’s pretty much all we’ve eaten this season. Rosé and dark chocolate.

A: The breakfast of bibliophiles.

W: It fuels our madness. Rating?

A: It does. I’m going high. I’m agreeing with and also giving it a 4.3. Because it’s very elegant tasting. A sophisticated soiree sipper.

W: Wow! Okay. I’m going to give it a 3.9. While it’s very good, it’s lacking a bit in flavor for me, really a 3.6/7 but I like the label so much I bumped it up a bit.

A: You’re a tough cookie to impress.

W: Maybe. I just know what I like.

A: And so far, it's Fascino Prosecco Rosé.

W: It is. But this one has a prettier label. How can I get that prosecco in this bottle???

A: I’ll leave that to o figure out, but for all of you, we’ll see you back here in two weeks to discuss O. Henry’s short story, “The Count and the Wedding Guest” paired with Clara C Prosecco Rosé. Cheers!