REVIEW: AUTUMN IN THE VINEYARD by MARINA ADAIR

Series: St. Helena Vineyard #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Publication Date: 10/29/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 324
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars

Frankie Baudouin has a hundred reasons not to trust Nate DeLuca. First, he’s a DeLuca. Second, he kissed her—in front of the entire town—and then never called. Oh, and he’s after her land. Sorrento Ranch is Frankie’s last chance to prove to her family—and to herself—that she has what it takes to be an award-winning winemaker. And she will stop at nothing to ensure her success—even if it means playing nice with the starched, sophisticated, and oh-so-sexy Italian.

For Nate, Sorrento Ranch is more than just soil and grape vines; it was his father’s dream—a dream Nate is determined to make a reality. So when he finds himself forced to cohabitate with a hot-headed, irrational, and incredibly gorgeous Baudouin, Nate is surprised to discover that chaos could be so much fun—especially when she sleeps in nothing but lace.

Earlier this year I read Summer in Napa, book two in the St. Helena Vineyard series. In that story, we had Marco and Lexie, fighting each other and fighting love. It was such a good story. We also got Marco's brother Nate, and Frankie, his would-be nemesis. What was so intriguing about Nate and Frankie was that even though they seemed to hate one another, there was definitely an undercurrent of intense attraction. For that reason, I was so happy to read their book, Autumn in the Vineyard.

True to what was promised, Nate and Frankie's love/hate relationship made Autumn in the Vineyard a fun read. I love when an author can pull of an antagonistic relationship without making either character annoying, or pushing the issue so far that I end up not caring. Adair did a great job of portraying the thin line of love/hate between Nate and Frankie. The dual narrative helped me understand exactly where both characters were coming from, and had me anxious for both to finally take a chance on love. I also appreciated that while the story was humorous, it also portrayed a nice amount of character growth for Nate and Frankie.

One of the aspects I enjoy about this series is the setting. I've never been to Napa, but Adair created an atmosphere in the books that made me "see" the setting in all its beauty. Also, she did a very thorough job of portraying the life and work of the art of producing wine. The passion the characters displayed for their way of life, their livelihood, was gorgeous.

Autumn in the Vineyard is another nice addition to the St. Helena Vineyard series. I like that the stories are companions, and can be read as standalones, though I would also recommend reading all the books. I would definitely recommend this series to Contemporary Romance lovers.



Favorite Quotes:


  "You could have at least told me that my grandpa was in the room."
  "I didn't see him," Nate defended.
  "He was looking right at you!"
  "Again," Nate said, pointing to his southern region. "Hands down my pants. Any guy getting a hand job would have had a hard time focusing."
  "Half a hand job," she smiled. "I never finished."
  "Believe me, I remember."     ~eARC, 17%


  There was something sexy and so damn feminine about those hands, soft and strong at the same time. But it was this new side of Frankie, the vulnerable side that wrapped her arms around his nexk and just held on as though he were the only thing grounding her to this moment, which made all logic disappear.    ~eARC, 51%

St. Helena Vineyard Series

 

  

(cover leads to GoodReads)

 

 

My Review of Summer in Napa

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About the author:

Marina Adair is a National bestselling author of romance novels. Along with the St. Helena Vineyard series, she is also the author of Tucker's Crossing, part of the Sweet Plains series. She currently lives in a hundred-year-old log cabin, nestled in the majestic redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with her husband and daughter.

As a writer, Marina is devoted to giving her readers contemporary romance where the towns are small, the personalities large, and the romance explosive.

 

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