ARC Review: Flipcup by Kim Hartfield

Title: Flipcup 
Series: Vinos & Veritas #7 
Author: Kim Hartfield
Publisher: Hearts Eye Press 
Release Date: April 5, 2021 

Could swearing off men lead Chelsea to the perfect woman?

After being rejected one too many times, Chelsea makes a bold vow: No more men. Her friends doubt a boy-crazy party girl can handle not dating for a year, but that only makes Chelsea more determined.

Tara has made a vow, too. After growing up in foster care and suppressing herself to please others, she's going to live her truth. When she sees a beautiful woman, she'll make her attraction known.

Chelsea appreciates Tara's flirtatious compliments, not to mention her androgynous beauty. There's a loophole in Chelsea's vow, and it's more tempting every day...

The first FF installment in the V&V series and I did enjoy it but not as much as I was hoping to. The overall story was good and got me into it but where part of my big issue lies is with the one main character.

Chelsea is where most of my problems with this title was. She did grow as a person throughout the story but I couldn't get past some of it; it was said that she would be self absorbed and she was and the way she treated Tara at times made me frustrated on her behalf. Tara on the other hand I loved and wanted to see more for her and to live her life. During the climax things were said and I just felt that the resolution was just way to simple and neatly wrapped for what occurred. The side characters were a great supporting cast and important to Chelsea growing as an individual which were major points to what I enjoyed. My only other big issue with the story is how it was all wrapped up. It was progressing nicely and then it just sort of ended out of nowhere on me. I felt that there should have been more and not just end of book. 

Overall I'm giving Flipcup: 

3/5 Stars

ARC Review: Hideaway by Rachel Lacey

Title: Hideaway

Series: Vinos and Veritas #8
Author: Rachel Lacey 
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press
Release Date: April 5, 2021

One woman’s hiding place is another woman’s home.

After becoming an inadvertent viral sensation—and losing her job and her girlfriend as a result— Phoebe Shaw retreats to Vermont. Renovating her late grandmother’s cabin into a vacation rental seems like the perfect way to lie low for a while. But the last person she expects to encounter on the property is the woman whose kiss was her teenage sexual awakening . . . and whom she’s never quite forgotten.

Taylor Donovan has been hiking on the trails behind the Shaw family’s cabin her whole life. As children, Taylor and Phoebe were best friends before sharing a secret summer romance when they were sixteen, which left Taylor brokenhearted when Phoebe fled at the end of the summer. Now the property has become Taylor’s home away from home, and she wants nothing more than to convince the Shaws to sell it to her. But Phoebe’s return puts a crimp in those plans--and brings back old feelings she thought she’d overcome.

Of all the things Phoebe regrets, leaving Taylor is at the top of the list, but Taylor is determined to protect her heart. Yet the pull between them is stronger than ever. This time around, will love stay hidden . . . or finally see the light of day?

Second chance romance and cute dogs, I was so excited for this but it fell flat for me. I've said it before but this one I truly believe was just not the right time for me to read it.  The story was very well written and put together, I just couldn't find myself enjoying it. 

Phoebe and Taylor I enjoyed. I was rooting for Taylor from the start and the work that she does with the dogs and wanted her to be happy. I could tell that Phoebe was what made her happy and that was great. I was actually more interested in the dogs that were part of the story than seeing their relationship progress because in the past they were already so in love and I knew that they would overcome the past and be together again which made so sense. 

What I did love though was how low angst it was, how sweet and how much heart went into it. All of which is why I know this one was one me and I will be giving this one a second chance.  Rachel Lacey did such a wonderful job crafting such a beautiful story and I do encourage others to go read this book because it is such a great FF. 

3/5 Stars

 

ARC Review: Booklover by J.E. Birk

Title: Booklover

Series: Vinos & Veritas #6

Author: J.E. Birk
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press
Release Date: March 29, 2021

Two guys meet over a stack of romance novels. Soon they're turning pages late into the night...

Jamie Morin’s college GPA drops every time a cow breaks through a fence, but he’s determined to get his degree and keep his parents’ Vermont dairy farm afloat. He’d rather be reading than milking, but he can’t let his family down…not the way his brother did. So the last thing he needs is distraction in the form of an irresistible bookseller with a mysterious backstory.

Briar Nord has a lifetime of experience proving that happily-ever-afters only happen in his favorite books. But his luck might be changing. He’s got a great job at a bookstore, and he lives in a city that puts maple syrup on everything. But Briar knows not to trust anything or anyone. And that includes a gorgeous farm boy with soulful eyes and too many obligations.

When Jamie joins Briar’s romance novel book club, they both feel an instant connection. Soon they’re turning pages long into the night. But Briar’s past was bound to catch up with him. Sometimes, though, it takes two heroes to write a new ending . . .

I'm going to try to remain as spoiler free as possible but there was so much epic stuff at work here. 2 men bonding over romance novels in a book club!? Sign me up.  

Jamie is super sweet and adorable, which made it easy to love him and how much he does for everybody. Briar on the other hand is adjusting to his new life, so when the two of them meet for the first time, the sparks fly. The growth between the two of them starts off kind of slow because Jamie's obligation to his family farm seems to get in the way. With both of them they agree they can't do more than be an occasional hookup between Briar and his trust issues and Jamie with the farm and college and work. Love always finds a way to sneak up on them. 

With that being said the issues that both of them brought us to the climax which I was actually upset over. Thankfully because of their love for each other and romance novels they worked everything out in the most adorable scene ever. The ending also made me squeal with how cute it was. The spicy scenes were just that. Spicy and somehow freaking adorable with what they pulled off. This was easily one of my favorites so far of the series and I will for sure read it again. 

5/5 Stars

ARC Review: Aftermath by L.A. Witt

Title: Aftermath 
Series: Vinos and Veritas #5
Author: L.A. Witt
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press
Release Date: March 29, 2021

Brent Weyland was the life of the party until an injury ended his hockey career. Now he’s retreated alone to a lakefront house, trying to make sense of a life and body that don’t feel like his anymore.

Jon Norquist was happily married right up until he wasn’t. Now a single father in his forties, he’s trying to figure out what comes next. In the meantime, he pours his heartache and regret into the lyrics he sings for the wine bar crowd a couple of nights a week.

When a friend coaxes Brent out for a night of wine and music, he puts Brent and Jon on a collision course. Their chemistry is instantaneous. Jon gives Brent’s battered body a much-needed remedial lesson in pleasure. And Brent gives Jon a reason to smile again.

Multiple reasons, actually. Neither man wants anything serious, but love has a habit of showing up whether it’s welcome or not. No matter how hard they try, the two can’t help having feelings for each other, even as life continues to throw them curveballs.

But they’ve both got baggage to unpack and hurt to move past, and if they can’t leave their pasts in the past, they might just miss out on an amazing future.

L.A. Witt is one of those authors who I highly enjoy and Aftermath was no exception to the rule. There was so much that I loved about this installment in the V&V series, that we're just going to get into it.  

Jon and Brent for starters were such a great couple to watch be together. Brent going out for the first time in a while because of his accident brings us the first meeting between the two men and holy sparks fly. The chemistry that the two fo them have is unreal. It may seem like it will be nothing more than a friends with benefits type of deal but watching them fall in love is just beautiful. Jon being a single father didn't stop him from devoting time to both his son and Brent and Brent was more than happy to let the relationship between Jon and his son not affect him even if he wanted to spend more time with him. They brought out the best in each other and Jon was such a huge help to getting Brent to where he needed to be. 

Even during the climax when Murphy's Law goes into effect, they made it through it and came out even stronger than before. Even the cast of side characters had me charmed and that includes Jon's ex. Okay maybe Brent's father I could have done without but he played a key role in the story and I couldn't fault L.A. Witt for having wrote the character. 

I would love to see more about these two in the future however and that's why my rating:

4/5 Stars 

ARC Review: Undercover by Eliot Grayson

Title: Undercover 

Series: (Vinos and Veritas #4) 
Author: Eliot Grayson
Publisher: Heart Eyes Press 
Release Date: March 29, 2021

Gabe wants Alec between the sheets…too bad Alec’s undercover already…

Rich kid. Party boy. Gabe is tired of the labels. He’s a smart guy, but ever since he got kicked out of grad school, people are only interested in his no-limit credit card and his pierced ears…and other places.

Tall, dark and scowling Alec hates Vermont, with its artisanal-freaking-everything and its irritating people. To be fair, most people irritate Alec, including the FBI director who sent him here to investigate a smuggling scheme involving yoga mats.

When one of the cutest twinks Alec’s ever seen takes an interest, Alec knows there’s an ulterior motive. No one with multi-colored hair, piercings, and an ass like that would want boring, serious Alec. The kid must be up to no good. Either way, Alec can’t blow his cover. If only he could keep his hands off of Gabe long enough to find out what he’s up to…

Can they ignore their explosive chemistry long enough to foil a smuggling ring? Or will their budding relationship sink faster than a yacht full of contraband?

Review: 

Starting off with this one by saying while it was ok, I had a hard time getting into the story. While this is my first book by Eliot Grayson I was excited to dive in to a brand new to me author. However after the first few pages I knew this either wasn't the right time for this story or just not my style. 

I did really like the characters of Gabe and Alec though. Gabe just wanting to prove that he is more than just some rich kid and it was sweet to watch him go after Alec. As for broody Alec, he was the one of the main elements that made me want to see how the story would go. Seeing Alec falling for Gabe as we progressed had me hoping for more but that isn't to say I didn't have issues with them being together. 

The mystery elements tend to be hit or miss for me and with everything going on in Undercover, the mystery was a miss. I knew going into this it would have some elements of mystery with Alec being undercover and that meant not being able to tell Gabe the truth right away.  Given Gabe's issues with trusting people just kind of turned me off from it because of the inevitable fall out that would occur. Also with Gabe's issues I felt that they weren't taken as seriously as they should have been. Going from there once the fall out occurred it felt so rushed on fixing everything and making everything right again. 

I may try this one again in the future and see if it plays out better for me than the first time but as of right now, I find myself giving this a: 

3/5 stars

Sarina Bowen's World of True North Cover Reveal

 Hey everyone! I'm super excited to share not 1, not 2 but 3 cover reveals this morning! These are the first 3 titles in Sarina Bowen's World of True North: Vinos and Veritas series. 

The Vinos and Veritas series is an LGBT+ series and has some of my favorite authors in its line up. I already have these 3 pre-ordered and can't wait for the rest to come out as well this year. The first 3 authors for this series are: Annabeth Albert, Garrett Leigh, and Eden Finley.  I could ramble forever about how excited I am and how much I love these authors in particular but we're here to see some covers. So let's get on with it. 

FEATHERBED BY ANNABETH ALBERT

Release Date: March 15, 2021

Pre-Order here: https://geni.us/AmazonFeatherbed

Add to Goodreads here: https://bit.ly/3mKWKXJ 

Share this page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/vino-and-veritas/  

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

Blurb: 

When a bookworm on borrowed time meets a younger, free-spirited chicken farmer, sparks and feathers fly…

Harrison Phillip Fletcher, III isn’t supposed to be here. Not in Burlington, Vermont, not running Vino & Veritas, a quaint inclusive bookstore and wine bar, and definitely not still alive, at forty-two. Also not supposed to be here? An unexpected delivery of chickens.

Finn Barnes knows chickens. The burly organic farmer knows all about rare breed poultry, but dealing with a hot, older bookseller is an entirely different matter. City slicker types like Harrison never end up staying in Vermont for the long-term.

They should steer clear of each other. But the flare of attraction is mutual. And somehow amid book discussions and farm tours, they discover plenty in common. Now they’re stealing kisses in Finn’s barn, sneaking out like teens, and burning up the sheets.

What starts as a fling brings very real feelings for two lonely souls, but a future together seems as unlikely as chickens in a bookstore. Feathers may be flying, but learning to trust takes time neither may have. Can they take a leap of faith together before it’s too late?

Featherbed is a stand-alone novel in Sarina Bowen’s World of True North. This opposites-attract, age-gap romance features a low-angst, fluffy—and feathery—romp as a fish out of water discovers the home he never thought he’d find.

HEARTSCAPE BY GARRETT LEIGH

Release Date: March 22, 2021

Pre-Order here: https://geni.us/AmazonHeartscape 

Add to Goodreads here: https://bit.ly/3roFo6y 

Share this page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/vino-and-veritas/  

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

Blurb:

From award-winning author Garrett Leigh comes a gorgeous new romance in the True North world! Think: great food, burly men and good times. Beards are optional but encouraged.

I’m not the obvious choice to run Burlington’s coolest wine bar—quiet, brooding, clueless about tannin content, and always one wrong turn away from another downward spiral.

But no one seems to mind that I'm a wreck. Besides me. I just focus on getting through each shift until the night a beautiful stranger appears, looking as lost and damaged as I feel.

When a mutual friend calls in a favor, the sexy newcomer winds up crashing on my couch. I don't know if it's his melodic Cornish accent, or his ocean blue eyes, or the rock-hard body with the mysterious scars, but I get the feeling whatever happened to him runs far deeper than those wounds. 

Having Jax in my home makes my chest warm. Makes me shiver. Makes me want more. But I've got a pile of baggage and I don't want to be a burden on anyone let alone a man who seems to have enough demons of his own. 

Our chemistry is off the charts. His arms feel like home. The last thing I want is to screw this up. Is it wrong to hope we can heal each other? Or will one of us die trying?

HEARTSCAPE is a heartfelt MM friends-to-lovers romance in the True North world, with a brooding bartender, a rugged outdoorsman, sweet angst and lots of Shipley cider. Triggers: contains mentions of depression, suicidal ideation and PTSD recovery.

HEADSTRONG BY EDEN FINLEY

Release Date: March 22, 2021

Pre-Order here: https://geni.us/AmazonHeadstrong 

Add to Goodreads here: https://bit.ly/34H76l7 

Share this page: https://hearteyespress.com/wotn#/vino-and-veritas/  

Cover Design: Christine Coffey

Blurb:

A straight guy gives gay hookup tips to a virgin. What could go wrong? 

When I first met Whit, I couldn’t get away from him fast enough. He’s a hockey player, and I hate everything to do with the sport that broke my heart.

But I can’t help feeling sorry for the guy. He’s newly out and desperate to meet someone, but his eagerness seems to scare potential hook-ups away.

Agreeing to be his wingman should’ve been simple. Watching him flirt with other guys made things complicated.

Whit challenges me in every aspect of my life, from my hatred of hockey to the new questions I’m asking myself. Like why a straight man suddenly can’t stop thinking about kissing another guy.

I think the answer lies somewhere on Whit’s lips...

So now that all 3 of these awesome covers have been revealed, which one is your favorite? For me it might just be Featherbed because of that little chick on his arm. The blurbs for all 3 are fantastic as well and I can't wait for their release dates to add them to my collection.