Bitter Truth

Hawthorne Vines #1

by Meredith Wild, Jillian Liota

For two wounded hearts, love is a risk in an emotional novel about family, past regrets, and future hopes by Jillian Liota and #1 New York Times bestselling author Meredith Wild.

After nine years in LA, aspiring singer Murphy Hawthorne leaves behind her broken dreams to return to her family’s vineyard. But as she helps open the property’s new restaurant, she faces a family still bitter about the fact she ever left, and old wounds quickly resurface. The only refreshing note is the handsome head chef, Wesley Hart.

Hired to draw more tourists to the Hawthorne vineyard, Wes is a culinary master with a reputation he wishes he could forget. Struggling with regrets and complex family dynamics of his own, he’s trying to start over, too. The biggest mistake he could make right now is to act on his attraction to his boss’s younger sister. If only he could get her out of his head…

Despite all the reasons to keep their distance, Murphy and Wes can’t deny the connection that keeps drawing them together. In each other, they find refuge and a sense of belonging neither could have imagined. But to forge a new future together, they must answer one important Can they face the past—and forgive it?

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Small Town Romance, Workplace Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2024

About the author

Meredith Wild is a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of 22 novels. After self-publishing her debut novel Hardwired in 2013, Wild used her ten years of experience as a tech entrepreneur to form her own publishing imprint, forging relationships with major retails, and becoming one of the first indie authors to become fully stocked in brick-and-mortar bookstore chains nationwide.

Both traditionally and self-published, Wild’s books have hit No. 1 on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists. She has been featured on CBS This Morning, The Today Show, the New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Publishers Weekly, and The Examiner. Her foreign rights have been sold in over 23 languages. She resides in Florida with her many cats.

Reviews

[Wobilba · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I didn’t love this but I also didn’t totally hate it. Nothing that i haven’t read before. But main characters were just meh and the side characters were just straight up unlikable. Gave this a shot because I liked Meredith Wild books before and enjoyed her writing style but unfortunately this book didn’t do it for me.

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for the ARC!

[ally mclanahan · Rating 2 out of 5]

the brother is the WORST. like all around she kinda just had horrible people in her life.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bitter Truth is the first book in the Hawthorne Vines series and I enjoyed this one! It’s small town, set at her family’s vineyard, and a bit forbidden because he’s her new boss!

Murphy returns back to her hometown after living in the city for 9 years. She was an aspiring singer in L.A. but now she’s returning back to Rosewood with broken dreams. On her first day back, her car breaks down and Wes shows up to help change her tire. They both feel a little something there but go their separate ways and she ends up running into him again when she rolls on to her family’s vineyard. She finds out he’s the newly hired chef for the vineyard’s restaurant she’s there to help her brother open.

This has a lot of family dynamics with Murphy, her moody brother, and their father. Wes has some reasons for pushing her away as well, even though he’s interested. I really enjoyed the writing of this one, I haven’t read either author before but I liked this setting and the characters. We got some emotional elements to it as well which was nice. I’d definitely read more in this series! This is available on Kindle Unlimited with the read and listen feature.

I received an audio ALC, all thoughts are my own.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.7⭐️



Murphy fue a los Angeles para volverse cantante, durante nueve años intentó cumplir su sueño y un día conoció a Paul un agente con un sello discográfico, todo parecía ir bien hasta que le dijo que la única manera de triunfar era con favores sexuales. Ella le dijo que le daba asco, que no haría eso y el asqueroso lo puso en la lista negra por lo que tuvo que regresar a su pueblo porque nadie la iba a contratar.

Murphy tiene mala relación con su padre y su hermano mayor, Memphis, porque están enojados porque se fue por muchos años, Micah, el hermano menor tiene una buena relación con ella.

Memphis tiene un año para que el viñedo sea un éxito o el padre lo venderá por lo que empieza a implementar nuevas ideas como poner un restaurante y contrata a West un chef famoso.

Ya me había espantado cuando West empezó a contar porque dejó su trabajo, pero resultó que no fue tan malo lo que hizo.

La relación entre West y Murphy es un tira y afloje repetitivo.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murphy is heading to her small hometown after the music industry left her high and dry. After passing the city limits, she pops a tire and a handsome good Samaritan comes to her rescue. Sparks fly but they go their separate ways.... for about 5 miles until she pulls in her driveway and finds out he is Wes, the new head chef of the family's restaurant.

They try and stay away, but as they get to know one another they realize they have a lot in common and they both have to learn to rebuild their dreams.

I loved this book, delightful small town vibes, a bit of forbidden romance, a touch of slow burn. Excellent. I dropped a star because the smut felt more forced into the story, and as much as I love a good spicy story, I think I would have preferred this one without spice, or maybe just one scene at the end, I think it would have fit the narrative better.

[CatsBnB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Immerse yourself in a beautifully written, deeply emotional, and heartwarming romance that captivates readers from beginning to end! This delightful story features an array of irresistible tropes, including the ever popular slow burn, second chance, and a bit of forbidden love, all set against the charming backdrop of a small town. Brimming with angst, chemistry, banter, love, forgiveness, family drama, and romance, this novel is a compelling read. The authors skillfully craft real and relatable characters that you can't help but cheer for. It's a story about moving forward from the past, overcoming the fear of failure, and following your dreams on your own unique journey. Overall, I was completely immersed in the story from start to finish! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kika Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this, Meredith and Jillian put together a wonderful story, full of love, compassion, compromise, dreams and family!
Wes and Murphy’s story is one of a kind, they each have dreams and as the story develops you just can’t wait for them to end up together.
From the first pages it will fill you up with more than you are bargaining for and it will not disappoint you!

[jordan εїз · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars 🌟 this was lowkey boring from start to finish 🙁 murphywes kind of had me for the first 40% but then i got bored and had to force myself through the remainder of the book 🍷🎸👨‍🍳 murphy had no depth and the issues with her brother and dad seemed unresolved in the end. and wes was kind of just fine, they both lacked substance tbh

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Murphy Hawthorne, the last place she wants to be is her childhood home, but when her life is in shambles, she’s left with no other choice. Returning home isn’t for the faint of heart as Murphy has to face old wounds and her bitter family that she left behind. The only bright spot in her situation is the charming and handsome, Wes Hart.

Bitter Truth is the perfect small-town romance that will captivate you immediately and leave you begging for more.

Murphy and Wes were a force to be reckoned with. Their chemistry is instant and consuming, but when Wes discovers who Murphy is, his world gets turned upside down. Wes doesn’t mix business with pleasure and the fact that Murphy is his boss’s younger sister, well, that definitely puts a wrench in things. Off-limits never looked so good and yet, despite the high stakes, Wes and Murphy are powerless when it comes to the pull between them.

What I liked about Wes and Murphy was how similar they were. They both got the wrong impression of each other when they first met and the more time they spent together, the more they realized they had in common. They both had their hearts wounded by people they were supposed to be able to trust and were desperate to have the second chance they both deserved. I really enjoyed watching these two grow as characters and navigate their way through everything life had to throw at them.

Bitter Truth is everything you would expect from a small-town, second-chance romance. This story delivers with real characters, family issues, forgiveness, and romance. I enjoyed everything about this story and can not wait to get my hands on the next book in this series.

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I liked some parts of this, I feel like the authors tried to cram way too many tropes, plot lines, backstory pieces into this novel in too small of a space. There was just too much going on the entire way through and, because of that, it felt like there was nothing done incredibly well.

It was pretty atypical for the romances flooding the scene lately without offering anything remarkable to make it stand out from the crowd.

I liked the way that their backstories did almost mirror each other. I liked the failed dreams and trying to move on from them part. But I think it did make the characters a little too morose for the entire novel. The female narrator was so depressing to listen to that it never felt like an actual romance.

There's potential here but it needed a few more passes through in the edits and revisions part.

[PP's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful treat for small town romance lovers! Bitter Truth by Meredith Wild and Jillian Liota was a mix of swoon, heartache, angst and crazy chemistry. Wes and Murphy both came to Rosewood with their own emotional baggage and scars. Though they were forbidden, the heart knows what it wants. And they ended up healing each other in a perfect way.

Murphy Hawthorne had to leave LA and her dream of making it big as a singer after she refused to compromise with her integrity. She feels lost and embarrassed and shaken about coming back to her family vineyard after nine Years as her family never supported her decision. She gets upset when her brother Memphis bluntly tells her that she has to work as a waitress in the new restaurant under celebrity chef Wes Hart. The issue isn't the work. She has been blindsided and her family is treating her like some kind of impulsive good for nothing person ( except her younger brother and aunt). Wes knows he has to keep his attraction under control as this job matters a lot in his disgraced career. But they are soulmates and they have to fight for it.

I felt angry on behalf of Murphy for the way her family treated her. But I mater realised her older brother Memphis was only taking out his helplessness and anger about the condition of the vineyard on her. She is heartbroken and the home wasn't welcoming. Even Wes acted hot and cold. They had an instant chemistry but Wes is technically her boss and it was a mess once other people came to know about it. But by then, they have formed a pretty solid connection and fell in love. Wes let his past and his emotional baggage to push Murphy during the early stage. But soon he realised they are more alike than he thought. Murphy is such a beautiful soul. She has struggled so much and worked so hard to make a name for herself away from this small town. But her talent wasn't enough. She is lost but with Wes, she feels like she is home again. She slowly starts to feel connected to her old home. Wes was so supportive and caring and inspiring for her. And she was there for him during some of his darkest days. At the end, they both got their dreams. But they really didn't need anything except each other

I reviewed an early copy voluntarily

[Janine Vuong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute, wholesome small town romance!! I love the little accidental car meeting between Wes and Murphy (it reminded me of When in Rome by Sarah Adams) and the chemistry they shared! These two had such an effortless, intimate connection from the beginning. I really enjoyed their chemistry, but beyond that, I admired their deep and mutual understanding of each other’s difficulties. They’re both empathetic and provide this safe haven for the other when they need someone the most. It was easy to see how they found love considering their similar circumstances.

I love the deep dialogue within this book (especially at their bench 🥹🥹) Wes and Murphy are two very well-thought out characters. It’s easy to relate to their feelings of loneliness. They each stand on opposite sides based on the way they handled their particular past situation, yet they share this profound connection only they can truly understand.

If I had to provide a critique, I’d say I personally wanted to see more from the ending. There were some unanswered questions about the vineyard and I can only hope there will be another book or bonus content to satisfy myself as a reader better. I also would’ve liked a little more cohesion within the story but I really appreciated the complexity of the characters’ histories.

Overall, this was a fun atmospheric read that reminds you your dreams may be closer than you think and that no matter what, you can always find happiness in new ones. You create your own path for yourself and nobody can take that power from you. If you’re a fan of vineyards, love, and a bold fmc, you need to read this!

Read if you like:
- Small town romance/vineyard romance
- Forbidden/secret romance (he’s her boss and she’s his boss’s little sister)
- Family angst

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murphy is a singer, who returns to her home town from Los Angeles after a attempt at launching her singing career. Her family owns a vineyard with a restaurant, which she starts working at. While there, she reunites with a man that had helped her on her way back into town. The man, Wesley, and Murphy feel sparks during this short interaction before going their separate ways. However, when Murphy returns to her family's vineyard, the two reunite, because it turns out that Wesley is the head chef at the vineyard restaurant.

This was a cute, easy, and quick read. There was a bit of forbidden romance and small town vibes, as well as some family drama thrown in to add a bit of friction between the characters. However, this book just didn't stand out to me that much in terms of romance. There was a lack of banter that would have shown more chemistry between the characters, as well as a lack of development of some of the plot/tropes/trauma of the characters that were thrown in there. Maybe this was due to the story being so short, and not having the space to add more, but it just seemed like a lot for a short book.

Thank you to Montlake Publishing, Meredith Wild, Jillian Liota, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my honest review.

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ℝ𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕖𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 ✨

Bitter Truth
Meredith Wild & Jillian Liota
Published August 27, 2024

Thank you so much Page and Vine for my #gifted copy.

Murphy hated the idea of returning to her family home. Unfortunately she had no other choice after her singing career went up in flames. As she was nearing her family home a flat tire caused her to meet a mystery man. Later she found out this mystery man was Wes Wes is the new cook employed by her brother. And who also happens to be her new boss.

The beginning of this book completely hooked me. I loved the mystery man turning out to be her boss. That she is estranged from her family and had to try to find her place again. It had some heavier topics while also delivering the romance as well. I really enjoyed the forgiveness and acceptance that was talked about in this book.

There was a lot that was packed into this book. I really wish it would have been just a bit longer. One of the storylines that I was most interested wasn’t elaborated on. I’m hoping in book two it will be further explained. I’m excited to see which of Murphy’s brothers will be highlighted in the next book!

🌶️Wanted to make sure to mention that this book does contain some spice.

[Corinne Akers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitter Truth

Wow. What an incredible story! Murphy is a songwriter/singer - at least that’s what she moved to LA to become. When a manager looking to sign her overtly tells her that she must perform oral sex on him with another woman present in order to get somewhere in the business, she refuses and storms out telling them how disgusting she thinks they are. With nowhere else to go, she heads home to a vineyard her family owns. When she meets a good Samaritan, who helps her fix a flat tire, she has no idea that he is the head chef in the restaurant her family has built on the Vineyard. What happens after she gets back to the vineyard is both overly emotional & heartwarming - a journey on self discovery, finding inner strength, and fixing relationships you thought were beyond repair. I absolutely loved following Murphy’s journey through this book. I highly recommend reading it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Claire Coan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful small town romance. Murphy has to return home to her families Vineyard after her dreams of making a recording career take off didn’t take off. On route she comes across Wes who helps to change a tyre, their connection was instant but a heated kiss was all they shared.
When Murphy reaches her family home her moody brother (Memphis) tells her she will be working in the new restaurant, much ti her shock her new boss is Wes. He can’t get into a relationship with his bosses sister, he can’t afford to lose his job!
Their pasts both have a lot to play in as to why they behave the way they do now. I loved how they started to open up and share this, supporting each other.
I’m looking forward to reading Memphis’s story now.
Thank you NetGalley, Meredith Wild and Jillian Liota and Montlake for this ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

This was a very typical small town romance filled with lots of complicated emotions and family traumas healed with the power of love.

I liked the setting of the winery and the restaurant. There were interesting family dynamics that I enjoyed being explored and Murphy and Wes connected on and developed a deep relationship based on that. I enjoyed those types of conversations they had. It showed there was more there between them than lust. I was happy they didn’t jump into things too quickly, in fact there was a slightly forbidden element due to circumstances. Even though I liked that, I didn’t like there was a conflict that developed due to that, though at the same time Murphy and Wes didn’t let that interfere with them as a couple, which was nice but then made the conflict pointless.

But overall it was good, and I had an enjoyable time reading it.

[Erin Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star Review Bitter Truth (Harvest Vines #1) by Meredith Wild & Jillian Liota

This was an entertaining romantic story that ticked the boxes for me. Well written, the narration was good and the narrators easy to listen to. From the first chapter I was hooked on the story that was told. The characters were easy to relate to and I really liked them. The chemistry between them was intense and I found myself laughing out loud on a number of occasions with the witty banter and humour. The secondary characters were just as entertaining and I hope to see more of them at a future date. This book is a little gem that I have no trouble recommending. The narrators certainly did justice to the characters and the wonderful story that the author created.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book spoke to my heart. I know what Murphy felt when she moved back home…it hurts. I know how it feels when your dad doesn’t know how to use his words. I felt like I could relate to Murphy on a deep level and her character has my whole heart. Now Wes…sweet Wes. I love them. I’m normally not a big contemporary romance reader, but this one I thoroughly enjoyed.

Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Give this book a chance. It’s definitely worth the read.

[Jaimie Frerichs · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ 2.5🌶️

This was a cute small town romance, with a lot going on. I feel like the characters backstory could have been more developed. There was just a lot going on in such a short book that it all felt a bit rushed.

[Jenna Hastwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent spicy love story of a songwriter and a chef!

[Katie Andreachi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute

[Romance_book_obsessed · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Free to read and listen in KU, no third act break up!

[Lyna • lynasbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a first for me from this author and I enjoyed it immensely. It blends romance with a little bit of family drama. Murphy returns to her small town after leaving her life in the big city, but it isn’t an easy transition for her. SHe’s dealing with old wounds and strained familial relationships. Wes has his own baggage to process as he escapes to the small town as the vineyard’s new head chef. The chemistry between the two is electric and comes right off the page. Thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenn (YeahOrNeighReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - A great start to a new series!

If you're looking for a romance that delves deep into family dynamics, this small-town gem is a must-read. Sweeping you into a picturesque vineyard setting, the drama with emotional highs and lows unfold, holding the reader captivated.

Nelson Hobbs and Savannah Peachwood deliver outstanding performances, breathing life into the story with their narration. Their voices perfectly capture the characters emotions, making the reading experience even more immersive.

This was a terrific introduction to the Hawthorne Vines series and I can't wait for more! For those who enjoy a compelling, heartfelt romance, this audiobook is available for free through Kindle Unlimited. Don't miss out on this beautifully told journey.

[TheSassyNerdBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this! I wasn’t sure what to expect going in. I knew I would like it… Given that Meredith Wild is one of my favorite authors, but this was my first book by Jillian Liota and I was not disappointed. The two authors write well together and have created a world with interesting characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. I can’t wait for book two!
The audiobook was great. It was a great performance by the narrators!

Highly recommend!!

5 STARS!

[wildnorthernerrr · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for a more slow burn romance for this book, so having the first kiss at 4% (GAWDANGIT! *throws hat on the floor*) was a bit of a ‘ah man’ moment for me. I’m a sucker for FMC coming back home to the small town with family drama tropes.. but the family was so freaking irritating. They seemed so mean for no reason. Then the hot and cold romance in the beginning was giving me whiplash. I enjoyed the last half more. I did think the romance was rushed and the “love” was unbelievable to me. There was so heavy topics in here, again felt rushed. I liked that both the MC’s had troubled pasts that contributed to who they were today, I wish we had a little more exploration with that. Felt like there was no character growth or depth to the family, and wrapped up to easily for my liking.
The narrators did a great job.

[Cole Chartier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Meredith Wild, Jillian Liota, Montlake and, NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars rounded up. Overall I loved the idea of this book. I'm a sucker for a female comeback story and add in the fact that it's small-town romance? Sounded like a winner to me!

I think ultimately this book wasn't long enough for the number of tropes and issues that arose between characters. At under 300 pages, it lacked enough development of any of the storylines to feel real or relatable. While all great ideas on paper I don't feel like they were executed as fully as they could have been. Both Murphy and Wes had pretty troubling back stories that brought them to the vineyard and I felt as though these were rushed and lacked enough detail to help me relate or become invested in either characters story.

Because of this rushing of backstory it also made their love story feel very "insta-love"-y. The characters had interacted only a handful of times before we are suddenly diving into some spicy scenes that seemed to come out of nowhere. Again, I feel that this was because the book itself was so short and didn't leave enough room for any of the multiple tropes to be properly fleshed out...Murphy's problems that bought her home, dead mother, Daddy issues, saving the vineyard, sibling issues, Wes's past that brought him here, finding his father, mothers addiction...oh me oh my! That's a lot for under 300 pages!

Unfortunately this book didn't hit the way I was hoping it would but would be interested in reading from this author in the future to see if her writing style advances.

[Ally Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me a lot of mixed feelings. There were a lot of things I did really enjoy about this book, but I feel like it was missing a few things for me. So first, this book is a romance between two people who both have troubled pasts and learn how to cope with their new realities. Murphy and Wes have an adorable meet-cute when Murphy is on her way home and has some car troubles, and Wes ends up helping her out. They later realize Wes was recently hired to work for her family Vineyard, and she is returning home to help out too. There is a lot of family animosity going on from Murphy returning after nine years away. Wes and Murphy at first try to focus on work and deny their attraction, but Wes can't stand how Murphy's family is treating her and decides they can at least be friends. Friends, of course, grow to more. I did love the romance between Wes and Murphy with the way they support each other and help each other achieve their dreams and want the other to be happy. However, the family being so constantly mean to Murphy made me so upset and I know she left but you don't get much detail why it was so upsetting and then they were so fast to be forgiven but no really gives a good explanation or background to these issues happening. I think I would have just liked more character development in the family. This is a very cute romance and such a quick, easy read if you are looking for a feel-good romance novel.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review also features on Diary of an Ink Drinker

Bitter Truth. A story about new beginnings, family, and coming to terms with one's past. What happens when a promising romance novel fails to deliver on its tantalizing premise? As secrets loom large and complex backstories unravel, this novel promises an emotional rollercoaster but ultimately leaves readers hanging.

Bitter Truth follows Murphy's return to her family’s vineyard with her dreams in tatters, and the immediate connection she forms with Wes. In the beginning, we meet Murphy making her way home from LA, looking to heal and rebuild. Her misfortune takes her straight into the path of Wes, in more ways than one. The attraction is instant and the readers are promised a delight as it unfolds, except it doesn't.

Both main characters harbour significant secrets that the authors attempt to foreshadow. Initially, this adds intrigue, but by the midway point, there is barely an interaction with either character without them foreshadowing their ‘big secret’. It gets to a point where it's talked about so much, that it doesn't just fail to add to the story, you end up not caring. Then comes the big reveal! Without delving into spoilers, the secrets of the talented singer and the famous chef, so famous that he was hired just to attract people to the restaurant with his name alone, were disappointingly mundane. Both 'secrets' are things that are more commonplace for people in their chosen careers. But this is a romance novel so none of that matters, right? Oh well, onto the romance.

The romantic arc begins with an instant attraction that quickly evolves into a forbidden love/enemies-into-lovers/slow-burn dynamic. When Wes and Murphy finally come together, their chemistry diminishes. Wes vacillates between seeing Murphy as the love of his life and merely a sex object, making their relationship feel disjointed and awkward. There is some spice, but it feels very forced. Like cinnamon candy, some people will love it but in all honesty, it would be a better product without the spice. This book was written by two authors and you can tell. It comes across as disjointed and as though the authors had completely different ideas about what they wanted to do with the characters.

The main characters both have fascinating backgrounds. Murphy: A tragic childhood left her with trust and daddy issues as well as a fractured family. Wes: A fascinating family background that initially suggests a compelling 'damaged hero' backstory. His father’s story is so important to him that we learn early on that it is the sole reason he took the position and moved to the town. The book does a good job of building it up until… he gets distracted and then forgets all about it existing. So much groundwork is put in to state the importance of it and then, nothing. The reader is left hanging and the story line never finished. We see more of his mother and brother’s side, but it is a very complex backstory. It could be a whole book unto itself. It covers heavy topics such as addiction and abandonment, childhood trauma and the continued repercussions.

With only 268 pages to cover two detailed backstories, secrets and a love story the storylines feel flat, rushed and unrelatable. If anything the romance feels like an awkward addition to an already compressed storyline. While the characters exhibit decent chemistry when apart, their interactions together feel forced and overall the book feels like the weird feeling when families are forced together over holidays; It's just awkward.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for providing me with an e-arc - all opinions are my own