Series: A Vine Mess, #2
Traits & Tropes: marriage of convenience; enemies to lovers; military hero; dirty talking hero
Publication Date: 06.06.23
Genre/Setting: Contemporary; Napa Valley, California, USA
Heat Level: 5
Rating: 5 stars
After an expensive mistake cost her job and her fiancé, Natalie Voss returns to her family home in Napa Valley to rebound and regroup. After a few wine-soaked months she’s finally feeling ready to start over, but that means she needs access to her trust fund so she can have the capital to start her own hedge fund. Unfortunately, the antiquated terms of the trust mean she won’t be able to access a penny unless she’s married, and those prospects are currently slim. But desperate times call for desperate measures, so Natalie proposes a plan of mutual convenience to a man who alternately makes her want to smack him and kiss him.
Vineyard owner August Cates knows absolutely nothing about making wine, but he’s determined to see his late best friend’s dream through, no matter what. But that dream is seeming increasingly impossible as his wine is horrible, and his tasting room is empty. Thanks to the poor showing of his wine, he can’t get the loan he needs to turn things around. But then Natalie approaches him with an insane idea. He’s been dreaming of her since they first met, before their fiery chemistry turned into biting, snippy insults.
A quick marriage of convenience would be enough to get them both out of the mess in which they’ve landed. Just a few weeks of sharing a residence and then they can go their separate ways, but of course they didn’t count on the very real attraction that has been simmering between them for weeks.
Though I was a bit anxious about how much August and Natalie struggled to communicate, this was actually so well done, and issues were worked out by these two as rational adults. Sure, they struggled to learn how to do so, and they both messed it up at times, but the book takes place over just a couple of weeks so there were thankfully none of the drawn-out separations I so loathe. I was surprised at how much I related to Natalie’s struggle to be seen and valued and I loved August for her. He was the quintessential former soldier hero, but his golden retriever exterior hit a wealth of emotion. He had issues to work through and I loved seeing him finally let Natalie help. I also loved how openly loving he was toward her, especially when she finally grew comfortable enough to allow it and eventually reciprocate. These two both just needed someone to take them seriously, to expect more from them, and I loved that they were able to be that for one another. I definitely enjoyed this story much more than the first one. This adorable book gave me warm fuzzies when I finished it, and it has earned a spot on my keeper shelf.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5425741743
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3616825391
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