Merlot Marriage

Sunshine Cellars #2

by Fancy Roberts

Ophelia and Philip are definitely not dating. They’re married. But Definitely. Not. Dating.

For two years, Philip van der Merwe stuck to the plan—get an MBA, don’t break anyone’s heart, and find a way to stay in the States. Above all, keep things as smooth and uncomplicated as a glass of fine chardonnay. Befriending the straightlaced and anxious girl sitting next to him on the first day of grad school seemed like a good way to stay on the straight and narrow.

Growing up in the shadow of her sisters, Ophelia Moore was determined to prove she was worth noticing, but being best friends with Philip was like finding the perfect pairing—unexpected, yet utterly right. It gave her the chance to step into the spotlight on her own terms.

But with graduation behind them and the hunt for a job ahead, navigating life as an adult is tougher than expected. With Philip’s time in the States running out, one impulsive night in Vegas leaves them with more than just a hangover. Suddenly, their "just friends" vintage is turning into a bold new blend, and their little chapel secret is aging into a mess that’s impossible to keep bottled up.

Merlot Marriage is book two of the Sunshine Cellars series. This interconnected standalone features singing in the car, forced proximity, and plenty of steam as these best friends become lovers. And, of course, a guaranteed HEA!

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2025

Reviews

[Shyloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to start off by saying I received this book as ARC and I would like to say thank you Fancy Roberts for the opportunity!

This was my first 5 star read of the year!

it was fast paced, no unnecessary plot lines, and the characters were just too cute.

Ophie and Phillip are best friends that get married on a friend's trip to Vegas before they graduate from grad school!

and everything that follows is so much fun I didn't want to put it down!

if you're into friends to lovers, protective MMC's, all of the banter, an "f*** it" moment, a quick cameo of the Swan house from Twilight this book is for you!

I had so much fun with this book and I will definitely be reading the others!

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet best friends-to-lovers story. Best friends of 2 years, Ophelia and Phillip, go on a trip to Vegas with their friends. Philip, being from South Africa after college is over, has a risk of having to leave his life behind, so drunkenly, they secretly get married as "insurance." Living their separate lives still as best friends, until Phillip comes home to his apartment on fire, nowhere else to go. Ophelia happily offers her spare bedroom to him. While living together, they only get closer with lines becoming blurry; they start to realize the feelings that had been there all along. The banter is adorable and the fact their friends knew they had feelings for each other before they knew themselves was hilarious. The storytelling was amazing, keeping me glued to every page. It's a really great, sweet read!

[Chile at NoShelf.Control · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. Ophelia and Phillip were just the cutest and I loved every minute of their story.

I love how relatable Fancy’s characters are; they’re fun, honest, sexy, and the banter is always top notch. There were so many moments I felt like I was right there with them, going through the motions of figuring their story out, and celebrating along with them once they finally did.

Fancy has yet to disappoint me with any of her stories, which all have a good balance of story vs spice and this book two in her Sunshjne Cellar series may be my favorite so far!

Thank you so much to Fancy for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review! Looking forward to the next one already!!

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️

I am a sucker for sweet romances and this? Chefs kiss 🤌🏼

Ophelia and Phillip are two peas in a pod and I absolutely loved reading their jokes and banter.

I most resonated with Ophelia, she’s a confident women and finished grad school (I’m a freshman in college scared of the future😭) so to hear see that Ophelia is still trying to figure out her life makes me feel seen

Nowwww….Phillip….he is the cutest and funniest man I’ve read about. I love that he doesn’t shy away from his love for his best friend 😩😩

This is the first book I’ve read from Fancy Robert’s but it definitely won’t be the last!! I loved her writing style and the way she brings these characters and scenes to life.

Thank you for much to Fancy Robert’s for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing book, and I hope people love it as much as I did 💗💗

I was given this ARC in exchange for my HONEST review.

Merlot Marriage by Fancy Robert’s comes out on February 6th, 2025 🍷

[Ryana Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Fancy Robert's book, and it will not be the last. i'm a SUCKER for a friends to lovers, marriage of convenience romance and this checks the boxes.

The characters were easy to follow and to like, i find that a lot of time the male characters are so swoon worthy but the female can be kind of meh. what i appreciated in this book is that she was adamant on finishing school and really prioritized that.

The plot was uncomplicated which makes this a perfect palate cleanser or a quick weekend read.

whats inside:
- forced proximity
- best friends to lovers
- secret arranged marriage

CW:
- descriptive sexual content (3 🌶️)

[Reeseanne Reffner]

ARC REVIEW: book # 2 in the series but this is the first one I read and loved every moment of it
Merlot Marriage is a fun and relaxing romantic read. Fancy used the right amount of humor, spice, romance, and family life to make this such a great book.
Overall, I thought the plot was a great idea and I loved Fancy's writing style. It’s such a good friends to enemies to lovers story, The storytelling was amazing, keeping me glued to every page it was so hard to put down. It's very good and sweet. I can't wait to read more of her books, and I recommend Merlot Marriage to anyone who likes a fun, spicyyyy and cozy book!
Merlot Marriage releases February 6th on Amazon and Kindle

[Yasmin Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just want to start off and say that Philip is the boyfriend we all want and need to have in our lives! He is truly someone who fell first and hard for Ophelia and stayed as her best friend so he could never lose her. A round of applause for Philip, who also stole my heart, just like he did with Ophelia’s! This book really demonstrated how two best friends, who are clueless to the entire world rooting for them 🥹

I absolutely freaking love this book and Fancy Roberts sure knows how to freaking write! She freaking knows to take you on a roller coaster full of highs and lows and keep you on the edge of your seat. I give this book a 100000/10 because the whole trope of will they/will they not is the way to my heart ! And this book truly made me feel like one of their best friends pulling at their hairs and shaking them to open their eyes and see what’s in front of them! Ophelia is a strong fmc who doesn’t realize until it’s too late what true love is all about. However, is it too late to tell Philip? Only one way to find out? Philip, on all accounts, reminds me of Anthony and Colin Bridgerton combined together and my heart swoons just thinking of Philip 🤭☺️

I highly recommend anyone who wants to get lost in a book of two best friends, going on a journey to see if all along, their other half has been there with them this whole time 🫶🏽 a best friends to lovers trope can only be excellent if the writing style can keep up with the hype and keep you on the edge of your seat. And that’s exactly what Fancy Roberts did! Can’t wait to see what else is in store for the sisters 🫶🏽🤗

[Akku · Rating 4 out of 5]

🧡 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 - 𝟒✨

🧡 A big thank you to Authour Fancy Roberts for the ARC and the opportunity to read this book! 💖

🧡 As you know, I'm not usually into overly humorous romances, but I decided to give this one a shot and I actually enjoyed it!

🧡 Merlot Marriage was a cute, cozy, and lighthearted read that had me smiling more than once. Fancy Roberts did a great job balancing humor, romance, and just the right sprinkle of spice. The vineyard setting? Absolutely dreamy! 🍷 It added so much warmth and charm to the story it felt like the perfect little escape.

🧡 Ophelia, our FMC, was super relatable. She's confident, witty, and independent, but at the same time, she's still figuring things out (which, let's be honest, aren’t we all?). Her struggles with 'adulting' made her character feel so real, and I loved seeing her navigate love and life.

🧡 Then there's Philip, our MMC—kind, funny, and the kind of guy who actually puts in effort (a rarity, am I right? 😆). Their chemistry was sweet, with some swoon-worthy moments that kept me hooked.

🧡 While I enjoyed the book, there were a few things I wish had been developed more. Some parts of the plot felt a little rushed, and I wanted a bit more depth in certain areas. But overall, the writing was engaging, and it was a fun, easy read.

🧡 If you're in the mood for a spicy 🔥 yet heartwarming rom-com with a charming setting, this one is worth picking up!

[Luisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, best friends to lovers book. Philip and Ophelia have been best friends since he came to the US for grad school. Right before graduation, in a trip to Las Vegas, the two of them decided to get married in case he never gets a job that would sponsor him for his work visa. They are not romantically involved at that point and they continue their lives as before. Due to certain circumstances, they are forced to move in together (Forced proximity) and they finally start acting towards their feelings. I think Philip is the perfect husband/boyfriend/best friend. I gave it 4 starts instead of 5 because as much as they are best friends, I wished they would have more active communication and avoid some of the fears and avoiding their true feelings.
I highly recommend this book

[Jill Kerich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it!
Phillip and Ophie have been best friends, ride or dies all through graduate school and while graduation is looming, they are on a Vegas trip with friends. When Ophie notices that Phillip is a little off, she finds that he is worried about finding work and losing his VISA to stay in the US. Ophie has the perfect remedy, get married.
So it starts, these two go back to life and don't tell anyone what they have done. They vowed when they first met to stay in the friend zone while they were in school and now they have graduated and a few encounters get them both thinking beyond friendship.
I really loved the easy way these two moved from best friends to lovers. They had built a solid foundation so the only thing that really changed in their relationship was the addition of the physical.
Such a fun and quick read for me!

[Amber Batchelor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who gets married after being besties for 2 years? Ophelia and Philip do. I won’t say why, but that’s a big leap into a friendship. Maybe they have true romantic feelings for each other? Read it and find out!

5/5 ⭐️ and 2/4

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a quick and quirky romance novel which is perfect for Valentine’s Day. I especially loved Philip, who always knew what he wanted since the beginning he met Ophelia. He’s one of my top MMC’s. I did appreciate, however, how Ophelia stepped up and finally approached her feelings for Philip by literally blocking him in his room to have sex. lol. 😂. Wine wasn’t very prominent in their relationship, but is in the background with friends and family. I would have liked the wine to be special with Philip and Ophelia and their relationship. Overall a great book that everyone should read!

[Sara Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍷🤍🩴☀️

•Cute, spicy rom-com
•Interconnected standalone
•Secret marriage of convenience
•No dating rule
•Friends to lovers
•Forced Proximity

Super cute, light read with the amount of spice that suits the story perfectly. When I started reading, I was a bit overwhelmed at all of the characters being introduced at once and was having trouble keeping everyone straight, but once I finally grasped everything, I could put the pieces together.

Y’all…some of the scenes in this books had me CACKLING! (And I can have a loud, abrupt and obnoxious laugh) I couldn’t help myself. The way I felt for Ophie at times 🤣🤍

I love the dynamic between the two MC’s and the ending of this story.

This will be a new go-to romcom author for me. I will 100% be going back to read Pinot Promises and I NEED to know more about Nate. Immediately.

Xoxo

[Emile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Merlot Marriage! Phillip, the MMC, is total swoon material, and I adored the friendship and dedication between the main characters. Their bond felt so genuine and heartfelt, making their love story all the more compelling. A reference to the Twilight saga also takes this to the next level for me.

This book is marketed as a standalone within an interconnected series, but I would highly recommend reading the first book beforehand. There were so many characters and references to past events that I often felt like I was missing key context, which made certain parts of the plot a bit confusing.

Overall, Merlot Marriage is a wonderful romance with great chemistry and emotional depth—I just wish I had read the first book first!

[Mauli · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Copy in exchange for honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment in the Sunshine Cellars series. It was another captivating quick read for me, and though the chapters tended to indicate a perspective change from the MMC & FMC, it was easy to follow along and keep the pacing. There are some spicy scenes about 2/3rd of the way through the book, so be forewarned if you're not into spice. There were a couple moments I needed to go back and reread a paragraph or two, and I will say I was expecting more from Kel & Maggie's story but I was so pleasantly surprised by this story - very relatable characters, experiences and their desire for stability while refusing to acknowledge what's right in front of them.

[Sarah | Retro Girl Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fancy Roberts’ “Merlot Marriage” is a marriage of convenience romance featuring Philip van der Merwe and Ophelia “Ophie” Moore.

I thought Philip and Ophie’s story was super sweet - it was incredibly fun to read! Their relationship was both swoony and adorable, and I loved their interactions with each other.

It was obvious that Philip and Ophie truly cared about each other, even when their relationship was strictly platonic. Their friendship was such a beautiful thing, and I loved that about them.

There was some slight angst, but nothing too depressing. All in all, I would say that I definitely enjoyed reading Philip and Ophie’s story, and I’m glad to have discovered Fancy Roberts as an author!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

What can I say about Ophelia and Phillip…….they are adorable.

Tropes:
Best friends to lovers
Secret marriage
He falls first

Ophelia and Phillip meet and have a spark but they have decided that during school they won’t be bothered by relationships…..so best friends it is. All of their friends say they act like they are dating and they use each other as “excuses” not to date others…..

Little do they know that their two year friendship has just been them pseudo-dating the whole time. Ophelia doesn’t want to lose Phillip if he can’t find Akon to sponsee him a green card……so she marries him. But they must keep it a secret because Ophelia is the ultimate I-Have-It-Under-Control females and she doesn’t want to look weak.

But in keeping all these secrets…….they also are keeping the biggest secret of all…..from themselves. That they have been in love with each other all along….

The spice is spicing……but again Fancy give me more deets on actions! Lol Phillip does have a penchant for his dirty talk though and apparently the Moore sisters have loud “sex noises” in common….

I want more story from this couple! I didn’t want this book to end.

[Emily Houseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg yall I’ve never finished a book so fast. Oh man this was amazing. I didn’t realize it was a book 2, so I’m definitely going back for book 1.

The spice. The tropes. The banter. Ohhhhhh it’s all good. Ophelia (Ophie, how cute is that??!?!?) and Philip have been best friends and promised to never cross a line. But secret weddings really mess with those plans don’t they? All their friends know they belong together but they’re both so stubborn.

I LOVED the added extra parts about the winery and Nate and the little details that kept every chapter tied up in a neat little package and left me wanting more.

[Nicke M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super short & sweet book! Phillip sounds delightful on the page and his demeanor and tenderness with Ophie throughout the book was lovely. The genuineness of how they take care of each other and show up for each other was consistent throughout the book. There was some open door spice but nothing too crazy… made sense for the book and fit the plot well.
If you like:
best friends to lovers/marriage of convenience/secret pining/forced proximity then I recommend this book!

(This was an ARC opportunity from the author.)

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this easy to read, fun, best friends to lovers story.

Ophelia and Phillip have been best friends for two years, and with graduation looming, he might be returning to South Africa. But a trip to Vegas, and a drunken evening might have just solved that issue. What else could possibly go wrong?

The journey, the laughs, the banter made for a story I could relate to and not want to put down. I am ready for the next book in the Sunshine Cellars series.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

☆ARC Review☆

𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 is a fun and relaxing romantic read. Fancy used the right amount of humor, spice, romance, and family life to make this such a great book. I really LOVED the cozy feel of the vineyard setting.

The FMC, Ophelia "Ophie" is extremely relatable. She's a confident woman, but at the same time, she also feels like she doesn't have this "adulting" thing completely down.

The MMC, Philip, is kind and funny, and he's willing to do what it takes to balance out his relationships while figuring out what to do with life after grad school.

Overall, I thought the plot was a great idea and I loved Fancy's writing style. I can't wait to read more of her books, and I recommend Merlot Marriage to anyone who likes a fun and spicy 🌶🌶🌶🌶romantic comedy ❤️

𝘔𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦 releases February 6th on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited!

[Amber Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I think the story was cute and gave me rates R hallmark vibes they’re best friends and he is worried about having to leave the US because he’s on a student visa and coming up on graduation. I loved Fancy’s writing style my only problem was the miscommunication throughout the book. I feel like as best friends they shouldn’t have that much miscommunication. I understand some but some of it was things I feel like best friends would talk about.

[Platypus · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Definitely recommend if you are a sucker for Rom-coms)

Ophelia and Phillip are so lovable. IndIvidually I definitely wanted to throttle them multiple times during the book.

Marriage of convenience between two best friends definitely means nothing could go wrong. Realizing the truth of their feelings though is where the throttling began.

The Rom-com vibes within a cute setting of a vineyard makes it the perfect February book!

[Sarah Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute book. You instantly know you were rooting for Olphie and Philip. The tour best friends who are secretly pining for each other who happened to get married in Vegas. I mean, how can you go wrong with the story? There’s just a sweet tenderness between them throughout the entire book that you don’t wanna put this story down.

[Esther Cespedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review:
This is the second book in the series but I read it as a standalone and enjoyed it.
Ophelia and Philip’s Romance starts off as Best Friends who are completely unaware of how in love they are with each other. Things start to get spicy a few months after they get married in Vegas.

[Mrs.bookdarlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

Ophelia and Philip are best friends. Everyone in their lives is convinced they've been dating for a while because they're so close.

When they're in Vegas for Spring Break, they decide to get married. It was just supposed to be a paper marriage, but one kiss changed everything.

This book is the second in a series and is interconnected to another series. I highly recommend reading those books prior to reading Merlot Marriage.

[Amanda Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab a glass of wine and settle in…

Loved every second of this book. Only thing is…I want more!! Phillip is the best ever and I just want to keep soaking in the interactions between him and Ophie! Read it asap, or you are missing out.

[Melissa Melmch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well written it is the second book in the sunshine cellars series and I loved it! This story follows Ophelia and Philip best friends who have sworn off dating together they get thru graduate school and are onto the real world. Philip is from South America and needs to find a job to remain in the IS and Ophelia is set to prove she is just as capable as her older sisters. This is a cute story with a pungent ending (a little wine humour) definitely a good read to add to any romance lovers wine rack! This is an interconnected stand alone but I do suggest reading book 1 Pinot and promises because well it was great too! Book 3 will be out later 2025 and I cannot wait to continue this sweet series

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Spice Level: 3/5 (Medium)
Best friends. A no-dating rule. A Vegas wedding. A marriage of convenience. What could possibly go wrong?
Fancy Roberts does it again with Merlot Marriage! This fun, swoony romance follows Ophie and Philip, two best friends who met in grad school, swore off dating and somehow ended up married in Vegas. But instead of calling it quits, they decide to stay married—and cue the forced proximity, secret pining, mutual jealousy, and ALL the tension.
Philip is that MMC you can’t help but love—he’s got the dirty talk, the humor, the hidden emotions, and the kind of pining that will have you screaming at the book. Meanwhile, Ophie is such a relatable heroine—ambitious, independent, and hilariously stubborn (especially when ice cream is involved). Their banter is GOLD, and I found myself giggling at their antics more times than I could count.
This book flew by, and I was sad to see it end. If you love best friends to lovers, “My Wife” moments, and a Consent King MMC, then Merlot Marriage is a MUST-READ. Fancy Roberts delivers another charming, feel-good rom-com that will leave you grinning from ear to ear! 🍷💍✨

[Laura Carls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very relatable and I love how she writes the characters in such a way that shows how certain people just "get you" and allow you to feel like you can just "be you". 💜

[Aidan McDonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun quick story with some good hot moments!! Pretty modern and relatable love story. Especially living in a city with a lot of transplants

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway