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A Good Vintage
Luke Scherer has turned bad romance into an art. When he catches his latest deadbeat boyfriend selling Luke’s belongings—and his own body—to cover his debts, Luke decides he needs a vacation. He just doesn’t expect his Napa Valley retreat to be a step into his past. Eight years ago Mal Kuijpers was grieving his wife while his vineyard floundered. Hiring Luke for the summer put the business back on track and a smile back on Mal’s face. Nineteen-year-old Luke had just gotten out from under his father’s thumb and started saving for his education, his last screw-you to his old man. Then he made the mistake of falling for his boss, his dad caught up with him, and Luke panicked—and fled. Now they have another chance. Mal has his own share of closet skeletons, including a family he doesn’t talk to and a dead wife he sometimes does, and he’s gone without romance for years. He works hard to convince Luke he’s worth more than a casual fling and asks for nothing in return, but Luke needs a relationship of equals. If Mal can believe in himself and Luke can believe in love, two hot summers might yield a lifelong reward.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2013
4 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Ashlyn Kane
33 books523 followersAshlyn Kane is a thirtysomething writer, editor, procrastinator, and dog mom. She likes cheese, puns, and hockey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 5, 2013
So I think there was a lot to like about this book. And I think maybe I enjoyed it…? (so NOT a good sign when you’re not quite sure, huh?)
I’ll admit there are times that I can be a lazy reader. And maybe that’s what I’m being now. But this book made me try too hard. You see, Ashlyn Kane uses this style in A Good Vintage where she sprinkles “interludes” or flashbacks in between present day story points…in EVERY chapter, I guess to explain the why’s and how’s of what’s going on. It’s clever, I suppose. But, it just made me frustrated and confused at times and then disinterested and then impatient. And by the end…pooped.
The thing is, I quite liked the story of Mal and Luke. I loved the build of the relationship over time and the reacquainting after years passed. I enjoyed their hesitation, and their courting, and their growth. And their kisses…such tender and passionate kisses! It was a romantic story! There were also whispers of some interesting side stories along the way (but I’m not sure if those actually added to or distracted from the story itself)
I did, however, sometimes feel disconnected from the MC’s because I felt a bit, even after all their time together past and present, that I still didn’t know them. And sometimes I felt their behavior in situations were unlike what I thought about them…thus adding to the “do I know them?” feeling I was getting. I’m not sure what it was but I felt by the end that something was missing…like all the makings of a great book were there but it didn’t come together.
I’m so on the fence about this book. It was an ok-enough read. I didn’t hate it. But something about it left me feeling unfulfilled, despite how long it was and the read itself was a bit laborious.
Still a fan of Ashlyn Kane’s writing (American Love Songs), but this one didn’t quite come together.
December 16, 2013
this started out super good, like refreshing, THIS is how you write a book good. and then about halfway through, it was like" well, I told the whole story and I have some-odd thousand words left, what other random nonsense can I throw in?"
Good first half, very disappointing second.
Good first half, very disappointing second.
July 16, 2017
No, this was the part where Mal broke Luke down into tiny component pieces and put him back together different. When this was over, Luke didn’t know who he’d be. Just that he’d be Mal’s, maybe forever. And even though the thought terrified him, he couldn’t stop it. Didn’t want to.
3.5 stars
I absolutely loved American Love Songs by this author, but then I read True North and I didn't like it and was kind of disappointed. Then came A Good Vintage and I didn't know what to expect and I was kind of dreading more disappointment. But I needn't have worried because this book hit the spot!
When Luke was 19, he left home and started working in a vineyard in Napa in order to earn enough money for his first year's college tuition. There he met Mal (then 28 years old), whose wife has recently died from cancer. There was chemistry between them and over several weeks they grew closer, but nothing ever happened because Luke picked up and left before it could.
Fast-forward eight years. Luke is a man who relationship-vise made one bad decision after another. He claims he's a poor judge of character, but I got the impression it was more like self-sabotage. His father was abusive, especially toward Luke, seemingly for no reason, and no matter how much Luke resented and even hated his father, he couldn't help feeling as if every beating and abusive word were somehow deserved, so naturally he doesn't deserve a boyfriend who's not a deadbeat like his father in one way or another.
When he catches his live-in boyfriend whoring out in their bed for money he needs to cover his gambling debts, Luke packs his bags and goes to his older brother, Val. Val sends him to a vineyard/b&b to relax, but 'forgets' to mention it's the same vineyard Luke worked at the summer he was 19, with it's name changed. There, Luke meets Mal again. The chemistry is still there and the book follows them learning to be in a relationship - Luke in the first relationship with a man he actually trusts, Mal in the first relationship since his wife died. They are learning to trust each other and to communicate, and along the way you fall in love with them too.
What bothered me about this book is the number of unresolved events - These are mostly minor events (or treated as such), but it's the stuff I wanted to know, because I loved the side-characters too. Also, the book ends with a HFN ending and I would really love to know weather the HFN turns into a HEA at some point.
August 11, 2016
Goodreads TOS-compliant review: (I think, let me know when they tell us what the rules are).
"The book I just read is about two (or three) lovely people, written in beautiful language, by a very good and prolific author. I liked it very, very much.
It is for sale on Amazon.”
For my honest and true view of the same book, please read …MORE
DISCLAIMER: As of today my reviews will all have this pretty face, so that all and everyone on Goodreads can stay happy and beatific. I’ll let you know if I change my mind.
2,5 stars, upped to 3 for Goodreads, as there still are no half-stars to be found here.
"The book I just read is about two (or three) lovely people, written in beautiful language, by a very good and prolific author. I liked it very, very much.
It is for sale on Amazon.”
For my honest and true view of the same book, please read …MORE
DISCLAIMER: As of today my reviews will all have this pretty face, so that all and everyone on Goodreads can stay happy and beatific. I’ll let you know if I change my mind.
2,5 stars, upped to 3 for Goodreads, as there still are no half-stars to be found here.
March 10, 2014
Hot men, wine, good food, love, and some angst. What more could I possibly ask for? 'A Good Vintage' by Ashlyn Kane is the third book of this author's works that I've read and due to how much I enjoyed the other two, I fully anticipated getting the most that I could from this story.
Luke is the saddest, most miserable person I've ever met at the beginning of this book. He's twenty-seven, has a good job, but he is horrible at relationships, with men and women, and judging character. His most recent boyfriend, Luke caught him selling Luke's belongings and himself to pay off his gambling debts. Just one more loser in a long line of poor choices. Luke's heart has been broken more times than he can count. He's still trying, unsuccessfully, to deal with his anger at his dad and the way his childhood turned out. His very well meaning, loving, but worry wart brother and his wife, Val and Julie, send him on vacation to a vineyard in Napa Valley. Luke spent a summer working at a vineyard when he was nineteen and it was the best and worst time of his life. Turns out this is the same vineyard, a little bigger, with a new name, but still owned by Mal, his boss he fell for the summer he was nineteen.
"Why didn't I know you'd be this persistent?"
Because Mal suspected, Luke didn't think he was worth the effort. But what he said was "I just know what I want."
Luke flushed a little. "I guess you came to hear the rest of the story."
"I came because I wanted to spend time with you."
Oh. My. Goodness. Mal and Luke were so amazing together, and not just sexually, although they could've set fire to the vineyard with their lust, but in all the ways that make a strong and lasting relationship. Scary for Luke because he doesn't know how those kinds of relationships work. A little scary for Mal, too, because he hasn't been with anyone in nine years since his wife died, and maybe he won't be good at the day-to-day. It doesn't help that Luke's time at the guesthouse is very limited and then he'll return to Los Angeles and his life, what there is of it. Two men, both new to relationships, who stink at communicating, begin a long distance relationship. Yeah, I know. Where's the punch line, huh?
I adored how the author fashioned the story with intertwining short vignettes from the past. Normally I'm not a big fan of back and forth, past and present, in a book, but these were done supremely well and were short enough that they didn't distract me from the entire tale, while simultaneously giving me the insight I needed at the time. This was definitely one of the better love stories I've read. It was gentle and sweet, with some drama, but overall it just rang true for me. I thoroughly enjoyed both Luke and Malachi and was happy to see them each get what they needed. Thank you, Ashlyn, for another winner!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Luke is the saddest, most miserable person I've ever met at the beginning of this book. He's twenty-seven, has a good job, but he is horrible at relationships, with men and women, and judging character. His most recent boyfriend, Luke caught him selling Luke's belongings and himself to pay off his gambling debts. Just one more loser in a long line of poor choices. Luke's heart has been broken more times than he can count. He's still trying, unsuccessfully, to deal with his anger at his dad and the way his childhood turned out. His very well meaning, loving, but worry wart brother and his wife, Val and Julie, send him on vacation to a vineyard in Napa Valley. Luke spent a summer working at a vineyard when he was nineteen and it was the best and worst time of his life. Turns out this is the same vineyard, a little bigger, with a new name, but still owned by Mal, his boss he fell for the summer he was nineteen.
"Why didn't I know you'd be this persistent?"
Because Mal suspected, Luke didn't think he was worth the effort. But what he said was "I just know what I want."
Luke flushed a little. "I guess you came to hear the rest of the story."
"I came because I wanted to spend time with you."
Oh. My. Goodness. Mal and Luke were so amazing together, and not just sexually, although they could've set fire to the vineyard with their lust, but in all the ways that make a strong and lasting relationship. Scary for Luke because he doesn't know how those kinds of relationships work. A little scary for Mal, too, because he hasn't been with anyone in nine years since his wife died, and maybe he won't be good at the day-to-day. It doesn't help that Luke's time at the guesthouse is very limited and then he'll return to Los Angeles and his life, what there is of it. Two men, both new to relationships, who stink at communicating, begin a long distance relationship. Yeah, I know. Where's the punch line, huh?
I adored how the author fashioned the story with intertwining short vignettes from the past. Normally I'm not a big fan of back and forth, past and present, in a book, but these were done supremely well and were short enough that they didn't distract me from the entire tale, while simultaneously giving me the insight I needed at the time. This was definitely one of the better love stories I've read. It was gentle and sweet, with some drama, but overall it just rang true for me. I thoroughly enjoyed both Luke and Malachi and was happy to see them each get what they needed. Thank you, Ashlyn, for another winner!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
April 12, 2015
Luke is sent to Mal’s vineyard when his latest boyfriend is found selling Luke’s stuff and his own body! Mal was in Luke’s life years ago when Luke was young and running away from Luke’s abusive father. Mal, at that time, was a recent widow and considered himself too old and too sad to get involved with Luke at that time.
Now – Luke is feeling too cautious and insecure to want to jump right into another relationship, but Mal is ready and isn’t shy about letting that be known.
The other major roadblock: Luke lives in LA, Mal in Napa. Luke is just now starting to really see his life on track and doesn’t see how moving to the country can help his fledgling architecture career. Not to mention that Mal was married to a woman for years. Luke doesn’t want to be an experiment.
However high the hurdles, these guys do manage to work through them all and we get a very HEA.
**
This is the first book I’ve read by herself, but I’ve really enjoyed her collaborations.
I think that if I had been reading this book it would have been a bit easier to appreciate the “flashback” style she used (at the end of each chapter is a snippet from the past to give us the back story of Luke and Mal). As a listener it was a bit disconcerting to be wrenched from a scene and thrust into the past… but it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
I really like Mal as a character. He was seasoned but still had an air of innocence to him that was refreshing. He didn’t play games and that was nice. I did think that it was odd that the couple would “fool around” without having sex for as long as they did, but I loved the relationship building that occurred.
The secondary characters were rich accompaniment to the main characters and I thought they added nicely to the overall book.
Audio
John Solo did a GREAT job with this narration. Mal’s voice is growly and divine! He didn’t make Luke over the top but was definitely a different character than Mal. I thought he handled the women’s voices well and overall I really enjoyed listening to this story.
Book 4 of 5 stars
Narration 5of 5 stars
Overall 4.5 of 5 stars
Now – Luke is feeling too cautious and insecure to want to jump right into another relationship, but Mal is ready and isn’t shy about letting that be known.
The other major roadblock: Luke lives in LA, Mal in Napa. Luke is just now starting to really see his life on track and doesn’t see how moving to the country can help his fledgling architecture career. Not to mention that Mal was married to a woman for years. Luke doesn’t want to be an experiment.
However high the hurdles, these guys do manage to work through them all and we get a very HEA.
**
This is the first book I’ve read by herself, but I’ve really enjoyed her collaborations.
I think that if I had been reading this book it would have been a bit easier to appreciate the “flashback” style she used (at the end of each chapter is a snippet from the past to give us the back story of Luke and Mal). As a listener it was a bit disconcerting to be wrenched from a scene and thrust into the past… but it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
I really like Mal as a character. He was seasoned but still had an air of innocence to him that was refreshing. He didn’t play games and that was nice. I did think that it was odd that the couple would “fool around” without having sex for as long as they did, but I loved the relationship building that occurred.
The secondary characters were rich accompaniment to the main characters and I thought they added nicely to the overall book.
Audio
John Solo did a GREAT job with this narration. Mal’s voice is growly and divine! He didn’t make Luke over the top but was definitely a different character than Mal. I thought he handled the women’s voices well and overall I really enjoyed listening to this story.
Book 4 of 5 stars
Narration 5of 5 stars
Overall 4.5 of 5 stars
March 14, 2015
I was in a reading funk last week, so I put a call out to my Facebook page asking for some recommendations. One suggestion was A Good Vintage by Ashlyn Kane. I adored her American Love Songs, and I enjoyed her recently released co-written project Hard Feelings, so I thought I would give it a try. As with American Love Songs, the format is a bit unique. It is the tale of two stories intermixed together. Don’t get too concerned, it is easy enough to follow both storylines.
Luke and Mal almost started something eight years ago, but timing and an asshole father were against them. When Luke field Mal’s home and Vineyard one night, neither thought their paths would cross again. Fast forward to the present, and with the help of meddling families, their paths do just that.
See my full review on Prism Book Alliance
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014...
Luke and Mal almost started something eight years ago, but timing and an asshole father were against them. When Luke field Mal’s home and Vineyard one night, neither thought their paths would cross again. Fast forward to the present, and with the help of meddling families, their paths do just that.
See my full review on Prism Book Alliance
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014...
November 25, 2014
To take a line from the book this one hit me 'right in the feels'.
I don't know why it took me so long to read this book! I'm so mad at myself for letting it somehow get pushed to the back of my TBR list! I am so happy that I finally decided to see which of my TBR-Owned books have been there the longest and actually read them!
I really enjoyed this book! The two MCs were great and I really felt for them from the beginning!
Not everyone enjoys flashbacks in books but I felt the way the author handled the ones in this book was fantastic. They only added to the story and really helped me, as the reader, fully understand each MC better.
I will definitely be checking to see if the author has any other books.
I don't know why it took me so long to read this book! I'm so mad at myself for letting it somehow get pushed to the back of my TBR list! I am so happy that I finally decided to see which of my TBR-Owned books have been there the longest and actually read them!
I really enjoyed this book! The two MCs were great and I really felt for them from the beginning!
Not everyone enjoys flashbacks in books but I felt the way the author handled the ones in this book was fantastic. They only added to the story and really helped me, as the reader, fully understand each MC better.
I will definitely be checking to see if the author has any other books.
July 22, 2015
Another one of my 3 star reads. Not much to say about it - it waited patiently on my TBR; every now and then it popped up on lists like 'people also liked...' but then I forgot about it again. Finally I got around to reading it, only to now having to say - it didn't really grab me. It started really strong, but somehow my interest fizzled out. I finished, but the end was written as if the book didn't want to end :) lots of stuff happening on just a few pages.
Oh - and I really wasn't a fan of all the 'Interludes'. I think it would have been better to recap the past with a few chapters in the beginning. Several flashbacks were rather unnecessary.
Oh - and I really wasn't a fan of all the 'Interludes'. I think it would have been better to recap the past with a few chapters in the beginning. Several flashbacks were rather unnecessary.
July 20, 2017
A reunion, mature romance. I liked it because Luke wasn't that stupid regarding his last relationship and that his next one was a lovely slow burn romance. I liked that there's an understandable background story for Luke and his behaviors, and I also liked his close relationship with his older brother.
There were a number of side characters; they're not cardboard characters, and they all helped enriching the story instead of being annoying pests. The thing that disturbed the flow of the story was the interlude/flashback. Yes, they're informative, but they also jarred me out of the present storyline.
All in all, I'm glad I finally picked up this old book, because it's definitely better than my previous book with similar theme.
There were a number of side characters; they're not cardboard characters, and they all helped enriching the story instead of being annoying pests. The thing that disturbed the flow of the story was the interlude/flashback. Yes, they're informative, but they also jarred me out of the present storyline.
All in all, I'm glad I finally picked up this old book, because it's definitely better than my previous book with similar theme.
January 2, 2025
Four and a half stars
A GOOD VINTAGE by Ashlyn Kane is a second-chance romance set mostly in the Napa Valley. Luke Scherer spent a summer working for Malachi Kuijpers at his small vineyard. When his horrible father tracks him down there, he leaves rather than tainting a place he’s felt welcome.
A GOOD VINTAGE by Ashlyn Kane is a second-chance romance set mostly in the Napa Valley. Luke Scherer spent a summer working for Malachi Kuijpers at his small vineyard. When his horrible father tracks him down there, he leaves rather than tainting a place he’s felt welcome.
January 11, 2019
Less of a romance and more of a sprawling family drama.
October 5, 2020
At 16% and finding the switch between past and present very clunky. Also, the description of action in this most recent passage is overwrought. Thinking about DNFing. DNF 27%.
December 17, 2013
I have been a huge Ashlyn Kane fan since I read the first in her “Lost Boys and Love Letters” series. She is one of my auto-buy authors. She has never disappointed me and A Good Vintage is no exception to that. I love a second chance at love story and this was a great one.
When Luke was in college, he worked part of a summer at a vineyard in Napa, CA. He was trying to escape his jackass of a father and earn money to further his education. He was nineteen at the time. When he was hired, the owner of the vineyard, Mal, was eight years his senior. Mal was grieving the death of his wife, who had died of cancer.
The attraction between the two was fast and strong. Mal thought Luke was too young and Luke thought Mal was straight, so while they both had feelings for each other, they were slow to explore them. Too slow as it turned out. Luke’s father tracked him down and instead of subjecting Mal, his family and employees to his father, Luke ran, leaving only a brief note for Mal.
In the following eight years, Mal hasn’t dated at all. Luke, on the other hand, has had a long series of one offs in bars followed by a string of boyfriends who weren’t worthy of him. His most recent live-in boyfriend was a gambling addict who sold Luke’s belongings and then his own body in the bed that he and Luke shared to cover his debts. When Luke saw this, he fled to the only family he had left, His big brother Val.
Deciding that Luke could use a vacation, Val books it for him. He just doesn’t tell Luke that it is at the same vineyard where he spent that summer eight years ago. Luke and Mal are both shocked to see each other after so much time has passed. They each have things in their pasts they need to tell the other. They want to try to have a relationship, but is it possible with all the things they have yet to learn about one another?
Ashlyn Kane has again created characters who feel completely real. Luke and Mal struggle with the same questions, insecurities and family skeletons as many of us. They both have so much to overcome and personality flaws that need to be hurdled if they are to be successful as a couple. The supporting characters play more than minor roles in A Good Vintage. They are as important as Mal and Luke to the story. They move the story along and are valued parts of each man’s life. Without them, Mal and Luke would never be able to come together.
I really loved this book. I have heard some people say they were uncomfortable with the writing style Ms. Kane used. The story was told in present time alternated with flashbacks, which Ms. Kane called “Interludes”. I personally enjoy reading the past and present unfolding along side each other. Reading bits of the past helps to understand why the characters are behaving the way they are in the present. The time that Mal and Luke spent apart and their lives before they met the first time are important components of who they are now. Without knowing their histories, we can’t really know them.
I loved the writing style. I loved the characters. I loved the second-chance at love. I loved the setting, the beautiful Napa Valley, which in and of itself seems like a magical place. A Good Vintage is just a good book. If I had to find a flaw, it would be that it ended rather abruptly. But the way it ended left it wide open for a sequel or for your imagination to take Luke and Mal wherever you think they will go. I like to do both. I’ll dream up their future and hope like hell for a sequel because these characters deserve more page time! You have to read this book!
When Luke was in college, he worked part of a summer at a vineyard in Napa, CA. He was trying to escape his jackass of a father and earn money to further his education. He was nineteen at the time. When he was hired, the owner of the vineyard, Mal, was eight years his senior. Mal was grieving the death of his wife, who had died of cancer.
The attraction between the two was fast and strong. Mal thought Luke was too young and Luke thought Mal was straight, so while they both had feelings for each other, they were slow to explore them. Too slow as it turned out. Luke’s father tracked him down and instead of subjecting Mal, his family and employees to his father, Luke ran, leaving only a brief note for Mal.
In the following eight years, Mal hasn’t dated at all. Luke, on the other hand, has had a long series of one offs in bars followed by a string of boyfriends who weren’t worthy of him. His most recent live-in boyfriend was a gambling addict who sold Luke’s belongings and then his own body in the bed that he and Luke shared to cover his debts. When Luke saw this, he fled to the only family he had left, His big brother Val.
Deciding that Luke could use a vacation, Val books it for him. He just doesn’t tell Luke that it is at the same vineyard where he spent that summer eight years ago. Luke and Mal are both shocked to see each other after so much time has passed. They each have things in their pasts they need to tell the other. They want to try to have a relationship, but is it possible with all the things they have yet to learn about one another?
Ashlyn Kane has again created characters who feel completely real. Luke and Mal struggle with the same questions, insecurities and family skeletons as many of us. They both have so much to overcome and personality flaws that need to be hurdled if they are to be successful as a couple. The supporting characters play more than minor roles in A Good Vintage. They are as important as Mal and Luke to the story. They move the story along and are valued parts of each man’s life. Without them, Mal and Luke would never be able to come together.
I really loved this book. I have heard some people say they were uncomfortable with the writing style Ms. Kane used. The story was told in present time alternated with flashbacks, which Ms. Kane called “Interludes”. I personally enjoy reading the past and present unfolding along side each other. Reading bits of the past helps to understand why the characters are behaving the way they are in the present. The time that Mal and Luke spent apart and their lives before they met the first time are important components of who they are now. Without knowing their histories, we can’t really know them.
I loved the writing style. I loved the characters. I loved the second-chance at love. I loved the setting, the beautiful Napa Valley, which in and of itself seems like a magical place. A Good Vintage is just a good book. If I had to find a flaw, it would be that it ended rather abruptly. But the way it ended left it wide open for a sequel or for your imagination to take Luke and Mal wherever you think they will go. I like to do both. I’ll dream up their future and hope like hell for a sequel because these characters deserve more page time! You have to read this book!
March 4, 2014
I enjoyed this story very much. It is not a dramatic book full of angst and misunderstanding. Rather it is a story of life, family, love, and grief. About overcoming and letting go of the past. Of honesty and courtship. Learning to accept yourself for a beautiful person who deserves love and happiness.
The story is told from both Luke and Mal’s points of view and has flashbacks that are called Interludes that are peppered throughout. I enjoyed having the full story from both men and the insight into their pasts. The interludes are clearly marked and I didn’t have a problem tracking.
Luke is such a wounded man when he comes to the B&B. Luke has been worn down by his past and unhealthy relationships and has come to believe they are all he is capable of or deserves. Not realizing right away that his brother, Val has arranged for him to return to the vineyard that was the happiest and healthiest time in his young adult life it is a shock when he sees Mal again. All of the feelings and desires come rushing back and Luke is unsure of what to do. He doesn’t feel that he deserves to be happy or that he can have a healthy relationship, but Luke has never been able to resist Mal. He doesn’t see what a kind and generous person he is and all that he has to offer.
Mal is just amazing. He is all heart, strength and steadiness. He is a good man and it shows in every aspect of his life. He wasn’t ready for Luke the first time they met, though the feelings and need were there, he was just coming out of grief over the death of his wife. When Luke shows up again Mal knows what he wants and he pursues Luke with a sweet and gentle romantic passion and dedication that Luke is unable and unwilling to resist.
These guys are great. They have lived, enduring loss, loneliness, and making mistakes. They have both pursued their dreams against all odds and opposition and made most of them come true. What they really need at this point in their lives is each other and the life that they can have if both of them will believe, trust and let go. Their journeys, both together and apart, are beautiful and felt real.
Their families play a huge part in the story. Neither man would be who and where they are without the support and love of their families and friends. Gabriela, Jo, Rudy and even brother Eli for Mal. Val and his wife, Julie and Luke’s best friend Lance. These people help to fill this world and make it genuine and enviable. I adored Luke’s relationship with Val, they are brothers in the fullest and richest sense. They went through hell together and survived stronger and wiser. Big brothers can be a great gift (and a pain in the butt).
This is a slow, sweet ride. It is worth the time and patience. I want the story of what happens next. Whatever comes, these gorgeous men deserve all of the happiness and love in the world.
Possible Spoiler in a Trigger Warning:
Reviewed by Nina
To see more of this review and others like it please visit us at Gay List Book Reviews at www.gaylistbookreviews.wordpress.com
The story is told from both Luke and Mal’s points of view and has flashbacks that are called Interludes that are peppered throughout. I enjoyed having the full story from both men and the insight into their pasts. The interludes are clearly marked and I didn’t have a problem tracking.
Luke is such a wounded man when he comes to the B&B. Luke has been worn down by his past and unhealthy relationships and has come to believe they are all he is capable of or deserves. Not realizing right away that his brother, Val has arranged for him to return to the vineyard that was the happiest and healthiest time in his young adult life it is a shock when he sees Mal again. All of the feelings and desires come rushing back and Luke is unsure of what to do. He doesn’t feel that he deserves to be happy or that he can have a healthy relationship, but Luke has never been able to resist Mal. He doesn’t see what a kind and generous person he is and all that he has to offer.
Mal is just amazing. He is all heart, strength and steadiness. He is a good man and it shows in every aspect of his life. He wasn’t ready for Luke the first time they met, though the feelings and need were there, he was just coming out of grief over the death of his wife. When Luke shows up again Mal knows what he wants and he pursues Luke with a sweet and gentle romantic passion and dedication that Luke is unable and unwilling to resist.
These guys are great. They have lived, enduring loss, loneliness, and making mistakes. They have both pursued their dreams against all odds and opposition and made most of them come true. What they really need at this point in their lives is each other and the life that they can have if both of them will believe, trust and let go. Their journeys, both together and apart, are beautiful and felt real.
Their families play a huge part in the story. Neither man would be who and where they are without the support and love of their families and friends. Gabriela, Jo, Rudy and even brother Eli for Mal. Val and his wife, Julie and Luke’s best friend Lance. These people help to fill this world and make it genuine and enviable. I adored Luke’s relationship with Val, they are brothers in the fullest and richest sense. They went through hell together and survived stronger and wiser. Big brothers can be a great gift (and a pain in the butt).
This is a slow, sweet ride. It is worth the time and patience. I want the story of what happens next. Whatever comes, these gorgeous men deserve all of the happiness and love in the world.
Possible Spoiler in a Trigger Warning:
Reviewed by Nina
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March 31, 2015
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
Audiobook narrated by John Solo
After catching his current lover selling himself for drug money in his own apartment, it’s not only time to split up, it’s time for Luke Scherer to regroup, so he takes up the offer of a vacation at a B&B Vineyard in Napa Valley when it’s offered to him by his physician brother. Val’s got the money to send Luke away, and he’s got an ulterior motive that Luke doesn’t learn about until he gets there and finds out that it’s actually the same vineyard where he worked for a summer eight years ago.
At that time he was hired by Mal Kuijpers who was a grieving widower struggling to take care of the vineyard without her. Told in flashbacks, we learn that Luke had a major crush on Mal and the feelings looked like they might be reciprocal, but they never went too far and Luke was hesitant to get involved with a man who was still in mourning. When Luke’s estranged father suddenly showed up demanding a portion of the money he inherited when his mother died, Luke gave him the money he had been saving for college since he’d already put the inheritance money into his brother’s medical college fund. Shamed by his father’s drunken behavior, Luke left the vineyard without explaining why to Mal.
Eight years later, when Luke shows up for his vacation, Mal is shocked but pleased to see Luke and vice versa. Their relationship picks up where it left off, and the two quickly become friends again and eventually, just before Luke has to go back to his internship in an architectural firm, they become lovers. The long distance relationship is difficult, but they pull it off and over the next months they explore their pasts and talk about their hopes for the future. Luke doesn’t want to make a long term commitment, because of his past bad luck in relationships and because of the disaster his parents’ marriage was, but Mal is one of those mature, steadfast, goal-driven individuals who sees a bright future for the two of them and is willing to work for it and wait for Luke to get there too.
Both men have secrets from the past that they eventually share, including Luke’s disasters with his father, and Mal’s estrangement from his own family. Concurrent with the story, Val and his wife are expecting a baby, and when the infant is born, Luke has an epiphany about a future with Mal that includes the children and long term commitment that Mal has been hoping they’d have.
I liked this story, however, it was difficult to distinguish the flashback interludes which were interjected between many of the chapters while listening to the audiobook. If I didn’t focus and happened to miss the word “interlude”, I floundered while trying to determine if I was listening to the past or the present in the story. The narrator did a good job with the voices of the MCs, making it easy to distinguish between the two. The story itself wasn’t terribly complex, and certainly not dramatic, but it’s a nice romance for those who are looking for a sweet M/M age-gap romance with a slow build to long term commitment.
Audiobook narrated by John Solo
After catching his current lover selling himself for drug money in his own apartment, it’s not only time to split up, it’s time for Luke Scherer to regroup, so he takes up the offer of a vacation at a B&B Vineyard in Napa Valley when it’s offered to him by his physician brother. Val’s got the money to send Luke away, and he’s got an ulterior motive that Luke doesn’t learn about until he gets there and finds out that it’s actually the same vineyard where he worked for a summer eight years ago.
At that time he was hired by Mal Kuijpers who was a grieving widower struggling to take care of the vineyard without her. Told in flashbacks, we learn that Luke had a major crush on Mal and the feelings looked like they might be reciprocal, but they never went too far and Luke was hesitant to get involved with a man who was still in mourning. When Luke’s estranged father suddenly showed up demanding a portion of the money he inherited when his mother died, Luke gave him the money he had been saving for college since he’d already put the inheritance money into his brother’s medical college fund. Shamed by his father’s drunken behavior, Luke left the vineyard without explaining why to Mal.
Eight years later, when Luke shows up for his vacation, Mal is shocked but pleased to see Luke and vice versa. Their relationship picks up where it left off, and the two quickly become friends again and eventually, just before Luke has to go back to his internship in an architectural firm, they become lovers. The long distance relationship is difficult, but they pull it off and over the next months they explore their pasts and talk about their hopes for the future. Luke doesn’t want to make a long term commitment, because of his past bad luck in relationships and because of the disaster his parents’ marriage was, but Mal is one of those mature, steadfast, goal-driven individuals who sees a bright future for the two of them and is willing to work for it and wait for Luke to get there too.
Both men have secrets from the past that they eventually share, including Luke’s disasters with his father, and Mal’s estrangement from his own family. Concurrent with the story, Val and his wife are expecting a baby, and when the infant is born, Luke has an epiphany about a future with Mal that includes the children and long term commitment that Mal has been hoping they’d have.
I liked this story, however, it was difficult to distinguish the flashback interludes which were interjected between many of the chapters while listening to the audiobook. If I didn’t focus and happened to miss the word “interlude”, I floundered while trying to determine if I was listening to the past or the present in the story. The narrator did a good job with the voices of the MCs, making it easy to distinguish between the two. The story itself wasn’t terribly complex, and certainly not dramatic, but it’s a nice romance for those who are looking for a sweet M/M age-gap romance with a slow build to long term commitment.
September 11, 2016
I cannot add much to the blurb for A Good Vintage by Ashlyn Kane except to tell you that the layers of guilt and sadness that bear down on both Mal and Luke almost render their love for each other null and void. For Mal it stems from the decisions to wait on raising children and seeing improvements made to the vineyard that were near and dear to the heart of his deceased wife, Tori. For Luke the final moments with his father and the brutal way in which their relationship ended became a millstone around his neck that would ultimately need to be shed in order to move forward in any relationship that would include a future with Mal. As each man moves through this story, those burdens had to be shed or remain fixed and remove any possibility of lasting happiness in each other's arms.
A Good Vintage employed a unique vehicle to deliver images and memories from the past. These "interludes" as author Ashlyn Kane called them were vital to understanding the men who lived in the present. Without these snippets, some life-changing, others emotionally challenging, Mal and Luke would have been become mere caricatures instead of the broadly developed characters they actually were in the novel. However, as important and, often, enlightening as these flashbacks were, I felt they also sometimes hindered the emotional flow and impact of the story, particularly when Mal and Luke were facing their most intimate moments and difficult life decisions. I felt the placement and even the subject matter of these interludes to be a bit off kilter at times and I began to wonder why some of them were included or necessary. For instance, the moments Luke had where his jealousy of his brother Val and his wife relationship were revealed didn't seem to be important enough to pull me away from the main story line. I tried to understand why that was critical to the story as I never felt it influenced Luke's interactions with Mal. Rather, I would have liked to have seen more about Luke and his father and what made their lives the living hell it was, for I felt this had way more impact on who Luke had become as a person.
Having said that, some of these same sketches were incredibly important to revealing much about Mal and why he lived a sort of self-imposed emotional exile. They revealed much about the taciturn Mal and the way in which he dealt with sadness and loss and the way it influenced his thinking. I also found it interesting that author Ashlyn Kane opted to make both her men bisexual and boldly chose not to justify her choice but let it stand. So often, bisexual men are called liars or closeted, but not the case here. These men moved easily between their love of both sexes and it was this aspect of their sexuality that I found both realistic and very well presented. Before you worry, this is definitely m/m all the way. While there is mention of Mal's marriage it is quick and only dwelled upon to allow the reader the understanding of how the death of his wife impacted his life so profoundly.
All in all, I found this latest novel, A Good Vintage by Ashlyn Kane to be very well written with some lovely and heartfelt characters who grappled realistically with falling in love and all the pain and joy it can bring.
____________
A Good Vintage employed a unique vehicle to deliver images and memories from the past. These "interludes" as author Ashlyn Kane called them were vital to understanding the men who lived in the present. Without these snippets, some life-changing, others emotionally challenging, Mal and Luke would have been become mere caricatures instead of the broadly developed characters they actually were in the novel. However, as important and, often, enlightening as these flashbacks were, I felt they also sometimes hindered the emotional flow and impact of the story, particularly when Mal and Luke were facing their most intimate moments and difficult life decisions. I felt the placement and even the subject matter of these interludes to be a bit off kilter at times and I began to wonder why some of them were included or necessary. For instance, the moments Luke had where his jealousy of his brother Val and his wife relationship were revealed didn't seem to be important enough to pull me away from the main story line. I tried to understand why that was critical to the story as I never felt it influenced Luke's interactions with Mal. Rather, I would have liked to have seen more about Luke and his father and what made their lives the living hell it was, for I felt this had way more impact on who Luke had become as a person.
Having said that, some of these same sketches were incredibly important to revealing much about Mal and why he lived a sort of self-imposed emotional exile. They revealed much about the taciturn Mal and the way in which he dealt with sadness and loss and the way it influenced his thinking. I also found it interesting that author Ashlyn Kane opted to make both her men bisexual and boldly chose not to justify her choice but let it stand. So often, bisexual men are called liars or closeted, but not the case here. These men moved easily between their love of both sexes and it was this aspect of their sexuality that I found both realistic and very well presented. Before you worry, this is definitely m/m all the way. While there is mention of Mal's marriage it is quick and only dwelled upon to allow the reader the understanding of how the death of his wife impacted his life so profoundly.
All in all, I found this latest novel, A Good Vintage by Ashlyn Kane to be very well written with some lovely and heartfelt characters who grappled realistically with falling in love and all the pain and joy it can bring.
____________
September 23, 2016
I loved this book. I was totally sucked in and devoured it very quickly. Some elements were a bit cheesy and predictable but I was able to overlook them. It was low angst, no major misunderstandings or drama. Overall a nice comfort read for me. I liked how the story had flashbacks to explain the past a bit. I think it helped me understand the characters a bit better to get their background story.
September 6, 2016
This is a story told in a gentle way that incorporates a lot that is not gentle. Luke's father is a nightmare. Luke's relationship his brother Van runs hot & cold. Luke's boyfriend at the start behaves despictably.
And yet, we see these events through the eyes of weary Luke who almost expects things to go wrong. So there's not so much anger as acceptance. There's an evenness to the pacing and because the most awful of the awful is told to us from the distance of time, we are not overwhelmed by it. There is sadness though.
In terms of structure, we are given 'interludes', which are in essence a number of flashbacks to Luke's life in the past, primarily when he first meets Mal, but other times too, and some are even from Mal's point of view too.
Mal is an honest hardworking wine-grower who remembers Luke as the (very young) one who got away. His determination to woo him is lovely and gentlemanly, and slow. Mal has his fair share of the narrative, so when there's issues with miscommunication and lack of, we do see what both boys are thinking, and of course, they both have reasonable arguments for behaving like brats!
We see good and bad of these boys. We also connect with the other people in their lives: Van & Julie, Tori, Gabriella, Rudy & Jo, and Eli and Mike. I like the way the book lets us see these familial links that have helped shape Luke and Mal.
It's heart warming and humorous. There is banter and bitching, but there is also lots of love and hope.
Loved it.
And yet, we see these events through the eyes of weary Luke who almost expects things to go wrong. So there's not so much anger as acceptance. There's an evenness to the pacing and because the most awful of the awful is told to us from the distance of time, we are not overwhelmed by it. There is sadness though.
In terms of structure, we are given 'interludes', which are in essence a number of flashbacks to Luke's life in the past, primarily when he first meets Mal, but other times too, and some are even from Mal's point of view too.
Mal is an honest hardworking wine-grower who remembers Luke as the (very young) one who got away. His determination to woo him is lovely and gentlemanly, and slow. Mal has his fair share of the narrative, so when there's issues with miscommunication and lack of, we do see what both boys are thinking, and of course, they both have reasonable arguments for behaving like brats!
We see good and bad of these boys. We also connect with the other people in their lives: Van & Julie, Tori, Gabriella, Rudy & Jo, and Eli and Mike. I like the way the book lets us see these familial links that have helped shape Luke and Mal.
It's heart warming and humorous. There is banter and bitching, but there is also lots of love and hope.
Loved it.
September 13, 2016
I enjoyed Luke and Mal. The flashback 's were kinda hard in this one. I didn't always realize right easy I was reading the past right away.
This was sweet, with a slow build. I liked that they didn't just jump to hot and heavy. They became friends again, and even when they did decide to start a relationship, they took it slow.
They both had some past issues to share with each other, but no real big angst, or thrills. Very sweet, and a nice read.
This was sweet, with a slow build. I liked that they didn't just jump to hot and heavy. They became friends again, and even when they did decide to start a relationship, they took it slow.
They both had some past issues to share with each other, but no real big angst, or thrills. Very sweet, and a nice read.
September 21, 2016
This was and okay read for me, it wasn't bad by any means but I wanted maybe more of something.
Luke is the saddest, most miserable person I've ever met at the beginning of this book. He's twenty-seven, has a good job, but he is horrible at relationships, with men and women, and judging character. His most recent boyfriend, Luke caught him selling Luke's belongings and himself to pay off his gambling debts. Just one more loser in a long line of poor choices. Luke's heart has been broken more times than he can count. He's still trying, unsuccessfully, to deal with his anger at his dad and the way his childhood turned out. His very well meaning, loving, but worry wart brother and his wife, Val and Julie, send him on vacation to a vineyard in Napa Valley. Luke spent a summer working at a vineyard when he was nineteen and it was the best and worst time of his life. Turns out this is the same vineyard, a little bigger, with a new name, but still owned by Mal, his boss he fell for the summer he was nineteen.
This is a slow moving book in the direction of finding love, and being brave enough to take one more chance on it.
Luke is the saddest, most miserable person I've ever met at the beginning of this book. He's twenty-seven, has a good job, but he is horrible at relationships, with men and women, and judging character. His most recent boyfriend, Luke caught him selling Luke's belongings and himself to pay off his gambling debts. Just one more loser in a long line of poor choices. Luke's heart has been broken more times than he can count. He's still trying, unsuccessfully, to deal with his anger at his dad and the way his childhood turned out. His very well meaning, loving, but worry wart brother and his wife, Val and Julie, send him on vacation to a vineyard in Napa Valley. Luke spent a summer working at a vineyard when he was nineteen and it was the best and worst time of his life. Turns out this is the same vineyard, a little bigger, with a new name, but still owned by Mal, his boss he fell for the summer he was nineteen.
This is a slow moving book in the direction of finding love, and being brave enough to take one more chance on it.
September 28, 2016
I loved this book! It’s about two men, Luke and Mal, who meet at the wrong time of their lives, when neither of them is ready for Love, and I believe that it’s a good thing that nothing happens between them at that point, even though they’re both attracted to each other.
Eight years later they meet again, seemingly by chance (though it’s Luke’s loving brother’s meddling that’s actually behind it) and this time they are ready. They are even more attracted to each other this second time and they start spending time together and falling in love.
This isn’t insta-love though, the love grows though the book. Since Mal owns and operates vineyard and Luke is an architect and a city boy it also takes some figuring out how to make their growing love more permanent.
One thing about this book that bugged me in the beginning was the constant time jumps. Every chapter ended with a visit to the past, but after a while I got used to it and I realized that this was absolutely necessary for the reader to get the whole story, to get to understand these MCs, how they felt and acted.
Extra points for great secondary characters! Luke’s brother and friend, and everyone at Mal’s vineyard.
Eight years later they meet again, seemingly by chance (though it’s Luke’s loving brother’s meddling that’s actually behind it) and this time they are ready. They are even more attracted to each other this second time and they start spending time together and falling in love.
This isn’t insta-love though, the love grows though the book. Since Mal owns and operates vineyard and Luke is an architect and a city boy it also takes some figuring out how to make their growing love more permanent.
One thing about this book that bugged me in the beginning was the constant time jumps. Every chapter ended with a visit to the past, but after a while I got used to it and I realized that this was absolutely necessary for the reader to get the whole story, to get to understand these MCs, how they felt and acted.
Extra points for great secondary characters! Luke’s brother and friend, and everyone at Mal’s vineyard.
December 9, 2013
3.8 stars rounded up. I very much liked this story of second chances for both protagonists, how their romance evolved beautifully and naturally, the nice setting and variety of well contoured secondary characters. The emotional side of things was carefully balanced and I appreciated that. My one significant complaint, and the reason why I could not give the book a higher rating, is the chosen format for the flashbacks.
I think it needlessly complicated the flow of the plot, disrupting great moments to slip in information from the past. Those memories played an important role yet could have perhaps been grouped together as a foundation before delving into the main events. The author probably wanted to try a different approach, but the constant back and forth became tiring for me and hindered my enjoyment of the story... Otherwise, a very worthwhile read!
I think it needlessly complicated the flow of the plot, disrupting great moments to slip in information from the past. Those memories played an important role yet could have perhaps been grouped together as a foundation before delving into the main events. The author probably wanted to try a different approach, but the constant back and forth became tiring for me and hindered my enjoyment of the story... Otherwise, a very worthwhile read!
September 13, 2015
*Audible Edition*
3.5 Stars
I liked the story and the narrator just fine. I would definitely listen to John Solo again. I thought the interludes/flashbacks would be a little confusing in audio, but they really weren't at all, the past and present stories flowed along smoothly. It did get slow at past the half way point and Luke started to drive me a little nutters with his wishy-washy-ness. It made me feel bad for Mal a little, the poor dude. I think part of that was because the sexy times dropped off and I didn't feel the connection between the two of them as strongly as I did earlier in the story. It went from UST to sexy times to unnecessary angst. It all resolved for a good HEA though, so cheers to that.
3.5 Stars
I liked the story and the narrator just fine. I would definitely listen to John Solo again. I thought the interludes/flashbacks would be a little confusing in audio, but they really weren't at all, the past and present stories flowed along smoothly. It did get slow at past the half way point and Luke started to drive me a little nutters with his wishy-washy-ness. It made me feel bad for Mal a little, the poor dude. I think part of that was because the sexy times dropped off and I didn't feel the connection between the two of them as strongly as I did earlier in the story. It went from UST to sexy times to unnecessary angst. It all resolved for a good HEA though, so cheers to that.
April 27, 2014
Luke Scherer has had one bad relationship after the other, and when he catches his boyfriend whoring himself out in their bed, his brother Val intervenes and sends him on a vacation to a vineyard in the Napa Valley.
Much to Luke's surprise it turns out to be the same vineyard where he worked a summer when he was nineteen, and where he met and fell in love with the owner, Mal. Then Mal had just lost his wife, and was still grieving.
Much to Luke's surprise it turns out to be the same vineyard where he worked a summer when he was nineteen, and where he met and fell in love with the owner, Mal. Then Mal had just lost his wife, and was still grieving.
December 29, 2013
This was a good story and I enjoyed the plot and the characters, but to be honest the five stars is for the writing style. There is just something about the way Ashlyn Kane strings words together. There is always vivid imagery that makes you feel everything the characters are doing. The first time Mal makes love to Luke is a powerful example.
I get totally sucked in and can't stop reading. I love it.
I get totally sucked in and can't stop reading. I love it.
November 24, 2015
I give it 3,5 really. I liked it, but it was a little tiresome. Every chapter, almost until the last one, ends with a flashback. And that just made me feel like the story wasn't evolving.
The story is good and I like the characters (I ship Gabriela and Rudy), but I felt the story lacked, I don't know, middle?! It had a good start and a good ending, but the the in between was a little... Weak.
The story is good and I like the characters (I ship Gabriela and Rudy), but I felt the story lacked, I don't know, middle?! It had a good start and a good ending, but the the in between was a little... Weak.
July 10, 2015
I'm not sure any author wants their book described with the word I'm about to use. But, this book was so cute. Luke was cute. Mal was cute. The story and setting were cute. I would have liked to know what happened with Jo.
February 28, 2015
Sweet and angsty, but in a good way. I like the interludes to the past, because they help us understand the MCs actions and it's not someone telling the story to somebody else. I like the hesitance of the decision making process, because it felt real.
December 10, 2013
3.75 stars
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