1.5 out of 5 stars
Ebook. First edition. 234 pages. Published July 10th 2013 by Dreamspinner Press
Blurb:
Simon Ford’s success is hard-won. He grew up in Napa and resents the rich people who have moved into the valley, changing the culture by opening boutique wineries and pricing the locals out of the market.
Austin Kelvin runs an award-winning winery his father started after making a fortune on Wall Street. He lives the posh lifestyle Simon resents but secretly longs to attain. However, Austin’s world isn’t as luxurious and privileged as it seems: he didn’t inherit his father’s business savvy, and his winery is going under.
When Simon’s boss sends him to covertly scope out Kelvin Cellars for a possible takeover bid, Simon sees it as a step toward attaining his financial dreams. Until he falls hard for Austin. The feeling is mutual, but when Austin learns the real reason for Simon’s initial interest, he suspects Simon’s seduction is merely a means to procure the winery at a bargain price. If there’s any hope of winning Austin’s heart, Simon will have to risk it all to prove Austin is more than just an intoxicating crush.
Like all Delectable novels, this book includes the recipes used in the story.
Likes:
- I was curious enough about the Austin/dad/winery/money situation to finish the book.
- It got better at the end.
- It was easy to skim.
- Austin’s not a bad character.
Dislikes:
- The box set is missing a book.
- Simon is unlikeable.
- I felt like I was being pushed to think of Simon and Austin as a couple instead of it happening naturally.
- Never got into the relationship.
- Lots of inconsistencies in the beginning.
- Austin’s reason for not going to his dad for financial help is stupid.
- Too much wine, winery, and business talk.
- Too much sex.
- Reason for the men’s problem is cliché.
- Ending was abrupt.
I feel like when a book gives off a bad first impression, it’s easier for the reader to see its faults. This is one of those books. I did finish it, after skimming about nine chapters, because there was one and only one thing I was curious about. And it ended up being dumb. I don’t think this book was worth finishing.
The books opens with Austin worrying about his winery’s financial state. No explanation of why the winery was doing poorly was given, which made me wonder if Austin was an incompetent businessman. Eventually, the blame is shifted elsewhere, and I warmed up to Austin, who really is a hard worker.
It was the obvious hesitation Austin had about asking his wealthy father for money that ultimately made me finish the book. I was expecting some big reveal and a lot of drama, especially considering the reveal about Simon’s mom. But no. Austin didn’t ask because he has principles, aka too much pride to admit he failed.
Simon struck a bad cord with me right from the start. He’s literally the guy who wears a suit to work when everyone else, including his boss, is in business casual. He’s a former public school kid who wants to be rich. But he had a job driving a limo and saw firsthand how rich people could be assholes. So now he hates rich people, assuming they’re all the same.
With Simon, his assumptions about Austin are the biggest turn off. He knows next to nothing about Austin except that his dad made a lot of money on Wall Street. It’s one thing to dislike rich people because of how they use their money to buy influence and price out the locals. It’s another thing to assume that everyone who went to private school is a rich snob.
I could still probably have gotten into the romance if I didn’t feel like I was being pushed into it. With most romance books, the couple’s attraction feels natural. Not this time. It was heavy-handed and very noticeable. So much so that, combined with Simon’s attitude and personality, it turned me off of the romance.
I ended up skimming more than half of the book. Especially the sex scenes. I usually enjoy sex scenes, but there were too many this time. The same thing goes for the wine and business talk. It ended up being boring and tedious.
The beginning also has other problems. Lots of inconsistencies, from the color of Simon’s eyes – once described as gray and then again compared to lapis lazuli, which is a deep blue – to Austin and Penny being worried about money one minute and then suggesting sending an annoying employee on an all-expense paid weekend trip the next.
Things did get better near the end. I stopped skimming around chapter eleven, which was when the tension began to mount. The reason for the breakup, which is heavily hinted at in the blurb, was cliché but I actually thought it was handled well. As was Simon’s plan to get Austin back. Unfortunately, the ending was abrupt, coming right after the men reconciled.
My final complaint is about the way the first few books are bundled. It leaves out books 2! What the hell? I mean, the books are all about different couples, but still. I didn’t even notice one was missing until I got onto Goodreads.
I’m worried about the next book. It it’s a dud, I’m not going to finish it, and I’ll drop the series.
Be sure to check out the reviews for Brand New Flavor, and Gingerbread Palace.
Love is Love Reviews 