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#BookReview: Between the Vines by Staci Troilo @stacitroilo

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Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for fellow friend and one of my favourite authors, Staci Troilo. This is the third book in her Keystone Couples series >>>

About the Book:

60617419. sy475 When you grow up on a vineyard, you learn the grapevine can’t always be trusted.

Elena Santucci is one of the best wedding planners in the Keystone state—ironic, as she doesn’t believe in love. Why should she? Rumors cost her all meaningful relationships, sending her into the arms of one loser after another until she swore off men entirely. Now she spends her days helping brides put together dream days… even though she suspects they’ll all lead to nightmares.

Aaron Kennedy looks like a tough-as-nails cop, but he’s got a marshmallow for a heart. One that’s recently been roasted over the coals by Heather, his former fiancée. After discovering her affair with his best friend, he broke off his engagement and swore off women—at least for a while. When his sister asks for help with her wedding plans, he can’t say no. Then he learns the wedding is at Blooming Valley Vineyards, and his former crush is the event planner. Maybe this is fate telling him not to give up so quickly.

Just when Aaron starts to break through Elena’s icy shell, Heather comes back into his life with an unbelievable story—one Elena seems to support. Rumors travel the grapevine faster than he can make sense of them. He needs to discover the truth before his one chance at happiness withers on the vine.

My Review:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Laugh Aloud Funny

Having read the first two books in this series and enjoyed them, I snapped up this book as soon as it released, and the author has delivered a quick and fun read yet again. The writer delivers memorable characters with relatable flaws that immediately pull you in. In Between the Vines we meet Elena Santucci, who has sworn off romance since high-school bullies spread false rumours about her, and every guy in the school made some damaging assumptions about her. Even all these years later, those who should have be grown-ups perpetuate Elena’s misery. “As Elena approached the veranda, she considered walking around to the front of the residence. Her cousin and his girlfriend were sharing a private moment, and she didn’t want to intrude.” … This opening line gives the perfect set-up and takes the reader straight into the lonely life that is Elena’s.

The descriptive narrative is great, and here are some lines I loved … 

“The sun kissed the horizon, setting the sky aglow with shades of apricot, raspberry, and plum …” 

And … 

“Elena Santucci–Fake Smiler Extraordinaire. Time to put her skills to use.” 

And … [this whole set-up is brilliant for some great humour] … “I don’t remember you being such a pain when we were young.”

“I’m like fine wine. I’ve matured.”

“You’re more like a sour pickle.”  

I could go on, but instead, I’ll urge you to go and read this series. If you like fun, quick romance reads, the Keystone Couples series is for you. Between the Vines gets five stars from me.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.

4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.

3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.

2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.

1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

 

I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

 

For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …

 

UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

30 Comments on “#BookReview: Between the Vines by Staci Troilo @stacitroilo”

  2. I loved the rom-com aspect of this entire series, Harmony- great review!

  8. I love your take on this story, Harmony. I loved the humor in it. And I loved seeing the other characters from the first two books in the series show up. Great review! Congrats to Staci!

  9. Reading your review makes me recall everything I loved about Between the Vines, Harmony. It was such a fun read. I loved the whole series.

    Congratulations to Staci and thanks for sharing!

  11. Fantastic review, Harmony. Like you, I laughed throughout this book. And the lines describing the sunset… Fabulous!

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts.