2.75ish stars

I actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would, considering it was free on amazon for kindle. I’ve never read a Sarina Bowen, but heard good things about some of her other books.

I was intrigued by the setting of a family farm/cidery. Every time they started talking about food and farm-to-table, I was hungry.

I liked the idea of the romance more than the execution. I’m a sucker for second-chance romances, but the jump from friends with benefits in college to obsessed with each other ten years later happens a bit quickly. And there are some really misogynistic comments made that I think we’re supposed to swoon over, but just strike me as hypocritical and dickish.

For example, there is a scene where a pig is slaughtered (It’s not graphically depicted. Remember, this takes place on a working farm). The sister of Griff, the male protagonist is actually the one to kill the animal, a moment that has her brother praising her skill. But then when Audrey, a TRAINED CHEF, wants to help butcher the animal, he freaks out and is then surprised that she is so capable. There are a couple more moments like that where Griff tries to ‘protect’ Audrey that don’t sit well with me.

I did like Griff’s family and other side characters, though it was more their family dynamic than individual personalities, which weren’t exactly super unique.

I also liked the movie references, being a nerd like that. :)

I checked out the other books in the series from my library, because I don’t feel like need to pay $3.99 for each of the other FIVE books in the series (explains Griff’s HUGE family/friend circle...protagonists for future books) so maybe I’ll check them out. The books are very quick and readable, but I’m not sure how long the actual romance will stay with me.