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Thursday, October 24, 2013

REVIEW: AUTUMN IN THE VINEYARD by MARINA ADAIR

Autumn in the VineyardSeries: 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
 
Kissing Under the Mistletoe (St. Helena Vineyard, #1) Summer in Napa (St. Helena Vineyard, #2) Autumn in the Vineyard
(cover leads to GoodReads)
 
 


Purchase Autumn in the Vineyard
 
 
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.
 
Connect with Marina at:

 
 
 
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16 comments:

  1. I think I haven't read anything by this author, but the book sounds fun and what a pretty cover. Glad you liked it. Definitely a positive thing that it wasn't over-dramatic the way some antagonistic relationship tend to be portrayed. I'm putting it on my TBR-list.

    Great review!:)

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  2. Andrea you're always make me want to pick up all of the books you recommend asap, seriously where do you discover all these gems from? the antagonistic relationship in this book definitely sounds like something that I would enjoy too! Lovely review as always! :)

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  3. I am always up for a good love/hate relationship. This sounds like a great read. Great review Andrea.

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  4. I don't know how I haven't seen this series around before but they sound super cute and romantic. I love these kinds of books. Will definitely check it out. Thanks for your review!

    Janhvi @ The Readdicts

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  5. Great review and quotes. This is new to me but it sounds pretty interesting.

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  6. I'm glad this was a nice addition to the series, Andrea. I'm gonna have to give this series a go. I love a story with character growth and one that takes me on a 'vacation' to a place I've never been. ;) Great review!

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  7. Sounds sweet. Did you think of me while reading it?

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  8. Nice review Andrea, this sounds like a good series.

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  9. You're right, Andrea, it is a fine line with antagonistic romances to keep it entertaining without making us hate the characters. This sounds like a sweet romance I'd enjoy. Wonderful review! :)

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  10. I'm pretty sure I'd love the setting but I'm a bit unsure of the romance. You said it works, so maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Still, I would maybe hesitate.

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  11. I have been enjoying this series, my review posts Nov 4th I think, and I totally fell in love with Mittens! Wonderful review!!

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  12. Oh, I love a book with a good setting, and I've never been to Napa, but heard it's awesome. This sounds right up my alley! I'll have to check it out. Great review!

    Vi
    AKA Vi3tBabe
    Deity Island

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  13. Looks good! Glad you enjoyed it, pal.

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  14. I love a fun book that also has a lot of character growth. Napa sounds like it would be a great setting for a love story! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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  15. Heard good things about Summer in Napa and I am glad this one turned out the way you pictured it <3 sounds like a sweet read.

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