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Behind Enemy Vines
Event planner Stori McKinsey has spent years building her perfect life—luxury apartment, high-profile career, flawless image, impeccable wardrobe. Then, in the span of a single disastrous week, her ex-boyfriend steals her promotion and accuses her of attempted murder, and her estranged grandmother, Verna, dies.
At the behest of her eccentric mother, Stori reluctantly agrees to head to small, rainy Pear City for the reading of Verna’s will. What Stori expects is a few signatures on behalf of her mom and a sense of closure; what she gets is half ownership of Flights and Feathers, her grandmother’s struggling boutique vineyard.
The other half belongs to Seamus Truett: high school chemistry teacher, volunteer firefighter, and the kind of infuriatingly decent man Stori can’t stop clashing with. Seamus is determined to save the winery and honor Verna’s legacy, even as Stori searches for any escape route she can find.
Immersing herself in Verna’s world unearths old conflicts and trauma Stori has long buried. Verna’s complicated legacy continues to uproot Stori’s life in unexpected ways, tying her closer to Seamus, but suppressed secrets threaten to pull them apart.
At the behest of her eccentric mother, Stori reluctantly agrees to head to small, rainy Pear City for the reading of Verna’s will. What Stori expects is a few signatures on behalf of her mom and a sense of closure; what she gets is half ownership of Flights and Feathers, her grandmother’s struggling boutique vineyard.
The other half belongs to Seamus Truett: high school chemistry teacher, volunteer firefighter, and the kind of infuriatingly decent man Stori can’t stop clashing with. Seamus is determined to save the winery and honor Verna’s legacy, even as Stori searches for any escape route she can find.
Immersing herself in Verna’s world unearths old conflicts and trauma Stori has long buried. Verna’s complicated legacy continues to uproot Stori’s life in unexpected ways, tying her closer to Seamus, but suppressed secrets threaten to pull them apart.
- GenresRomanceForced Proximity
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 28, 2026
4.5 stars.
"Behind Enemy Vines" by Marysa Stevens is SO good! I had a fabulous time reading this book. It might have some of the best banter I have read all year. I seriously laughed out loud while reading this over a dozen times! I really liked the characters in this story. Stori, the city-girl FMC, is a complex, complicated woman with a lot of weight and baggage on her shoulders. Her estranged grandmother, Verna, recently passed away and left her something in her will, so Stori travels to Pear City, Oregon, only to find out she bequeathed her half of her beloved Pacific Northwest vineyard and winery. The other half was left to Seamus (MMC), a high school science teacher who helped Verna out on and with the winery in the last bit of her life. Seamus and Stori are *not* off to a good start, especially since Stori almost accidentally hit Seamus with her car. As stipulated in Verna's will, Stori and Seamus have to remain "on-site operating partners" and create a wine for the town's annual Wine Bash. They also have to submit their own wine into the contest, and they have to actually *try* to make a good wine. If they leave the property, or if one or both of them don't participate in the Wine Bash, then they forfeit the *entire* property, not just their half. Seamus is loved by the entire town because he is a nice, polite teacher who is also a volunteer firefighter and a genuinely good person, while Stori is a mysterious city-dwelling interloper who did not have a relationship with Verna before her death. Seamus is determined to do exactly what Verna wanted to honor her last wishes, and Stori wants to leave Pear City as quickly as possible. The more they are forced to work together to tend the farm and create a wine for the Wine Bash, the more Stori and Seamus get to know each other, including their deep, dark secrets, some of which involve Verna herself. I love a forced proximity story, and this one takes a unique take on the trope. I enjoyed the wacky premise of the book, as well as the secrets that are unveiled because of it. Stori has walls a mile high. She is guarded, sort of a loner, and gives off black-cat energy. There are reasons she acts this way, but no one has gotten close enough to find out why. Seamus is one of the first people to show up for Stori and not just brush her off, even though she is trying to get him to do so. Some readers might be turned off by Stormi as a character, but I implore you to give her a chance. In my eyes, she redeems herself and realizes how holding people off, not letting people in, is a detriment. Now, as I mentioned, Stormi and Seamus have some truly hilarious banter with one another. I really, really liked their "catty" back and forth, though it is usually done in jest and poking and prodding one another. Over time, both of their walls slowly begin to come down, and their relationship takes hold, and Stormi learns Seamus is a safe, trustworthy place to land. I also enjoyed the physical chemistry between them... the spice is great! The ending worked for me, too. I love a grand gesture, and I think what happens totally fits in this story. Now, as much as I enjoyed the human characters, it's Pancakes the emu who stole the entire show here. My goodness, what a riot!! I highly recommend you check out this book!
Thank you to Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
"Behind Enemy Vines" by Marysa Stevens is SO good! I had a fabulous time reading this book. It might have some of the best banter I have read all year. I seriously laughed out loud while reading this over a dozen times! I really liked the characters in this story. Stori, the city-girl FMC, is a complex, complicated woman with a lot of weight and baggage on her shoulders. Her estranged grandmother, Verna, recently passed away and left her something in her will, so Stori travels to Pear City, Oregon, only to find out she bequeathed her half of her beloved Pacific Northwest vineyard and winery. The other half was left to Seamus (MMC), a high school science teacher who helped Verna out on and with the winery in the last bit of her life. Seamus and Stori are *not* off to a good start, especially since Stori almost accidentally hit Seamus with her car. As stipulated in Verna's will, Stori and Seamus have to remain "on-site operating partners" and create a wine for the town's annual Wine Bash. They also have to submit their own wine into the contest, and they have to actually *try* to make a good wine. If they leave the property, or if one or both of them don't participate in the Wine Bash, then they forfeit the *entire* property, not just their half. Seamus is loved by the entire town because he is a nice, polite teacher who is also a volunteer firefighter and a genuinely good person, while Stori is a mysterious city-dwelling interloper who did not have a relationship with Verna before her death. Seamus is determined to do exactly what Verna wanted to honor her last wishes, and Stori wants to leave Pear City as quickly as possible. The more they are forced to work together to tend the farm and create a wine for the Wine Bash, the more Stori and Seamus get to know each other, including their deep, dark secrets, some of which involve Verna herself. I love a forced proximity story, and this one takes a unique take on the trope. I enjoyed the wacky premise of the book, as well as the secrets that are unveiled because of it. Stori has walls a mile high. She is guarded, sort of a loner, and gives off black-cat energy. There are reasons she acts this way, but no one has gotten close enough to find out why. Seamus is one of the first people to show up for Stori and not just brush her off, even though she is trying to get him to do so. Some readers might be turned off by Stormi as a character, but I implore you to give her a chance. In my eyes, she redeems herself and realizes how holding people off, not letting people in, is a detriment. Now, as I mentioned, Stormi and Seamus have some truly hilarious banter with one another. I really, really liked their "catty" back and forth, though it is usually done in jest and poking and prodding one another. Over time, both of their walls slowly begin to come down, and their relationship takes hold, and Stormi learns Seamus is a safe, trustworthy place to land. I also enjoyed the physical chemistry between them... the spice is great! The ending worked for me, too. I love a grand gesture, and I think what happens totally fits in this story. Now, as much as I enjoyed the human characters, it's Pancakes the emu who stole the entire show here. My goodness, what a riot!! I highly recommend you check out this book!
Thank you to Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
July 10, 2026
4🌟, 2🌶️
Some books are simply fun from beginning to end, and this was definitely one of them. Stori heads to Pear City expecting to settle her estranged grandmother’s estate, only to find herself co-owning a vineyard with Seamus. Their forced partnership leads to some genuinely hilarious banter, and between the cozy small town, family secrets, and the unforgettable Pancakes the emu, I was thoroughly entertained.
Seamus completely stole my heart. He’s kind, patient, dependable, and the type of hero who quietly proves how much he cares through his actions. It took me a little longer to warm up to Stori because she kept everyone at a distance, but as her layers were peeled back, it became easier to understand the pain behind her walls. I just wish her growth had come a touch earlier so we could have spent a little more time watching their relationship flourish.
I loved how this story blended humor, grief, healing, and romance while keeping such a comforting, feel good atmosphere. The chemistry between Stori and Seamus was undeniable, even if I didn’t connect with their romance quite as deeply as I’d hoped. Still, I finished this with a smile and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for witty banter, lovable characters, and a charming vineyard romance. Cozy, funny, emotional, and incredibly easy to fall into, this was such a rewarding read.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
Some books are simply fun from beginning to end, and this was definitely one of them. Stori heads to Pear City expecting to settle her estranged grandmother’s estate, only to find herself co-owning a vineyard with Seamus. Their forced partnership leads to some genuinely hilarious banter, and between the cozy small town, family secrets, and the unforgettable Pancakes the emu, I was thoroughly entertained.
Seamus completely stole my heart. He’s kind, patient, dependable, and the type of hero who quietly proves how much he cares through his actions. It took me a little longer to warm up to Stori because she kept everyone at a distance, but as her layers were peeled back, it became easier to understand the pain behind her walls. I just wish her growth had come a touch earlier so we could have spent a little more time watching their relationship flourish.
I loved how this story blended humor, grief, healing, and romance while keeping such a comforting, feel good atmosphere. The chemistry between Stori and Seamus was undeniable, even if I didn’t connect with their romance quite as deeply as I’d hoped. Still, I finished this with a smile and would happily recommend it to anyone looking for witty banter, lovable characters, and a charming vineyard romance. Cozy, funny, emotional, and incredibly easy to fall into, this was such a rewarding read.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
July 23, 2026
I found this book on Threads and I wanted to read at least one Indie this summer so here I am! Despite the cover it would be such a fun fall read as it takes place on a rainy Pacific Northwest vineyard during the Autumn! Very taming of the shrew in the beginning and I love a fmc described as a hellcat!
The third act breakup was so long though and that part dragged for me personally but I know some love a man who yearns! I’m usually a pretty harsh reviewer, but not to indies - it was fun!
The third act breakup was so long though and that part dragged for me personally but I know some love a man who yearns! I’m usually a pretty harsh reviewer, but not to indies - it was fun!
July 9, 2026
🍷 Finding Home Among the Vines 🍷
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️
If you're looking for a romance with witty banter, a charming small-town vineyard, memorable side characters, and a hero who's impossible not to love, Behind Enemy Vines is definitely worth picking up.
After her carefully constructed life falls apart, Stori reluctantly returns to Pear City for the reading of her estranged grandmother's will, only to discover she's inherited half of a struggling vineyard. The other half belongs to Seamus, a high school science teacher, volunteer firefighter, and one of the most genuinely kind romance heroes I've read in quite a while. Their first meeting had me laughing out loud, and from that moment on, their banter became one of my favorite parts of the entire book.
Seamus was easily the standout character for me. Patient, dependable, and endlessly willing to give people the benefit of the doubt, he continually chose compassion over frustration, even when Stori made it difficult. He never tried to force her to open up, instead allowing her the space to work through years of hurt and carefully built walls. He truly embodied the idea that sometimes the strongest people are also the gentlest.
The vineyard itself almost felt like another character. I loved the cozy small-town atmosphere, the underdog story of bringing the winery back to life, and the gradual uncovering of family secrets that tied everything together. And then there was Pancakes the emu, who managed to steal nearly every scene they appeared in. I don't think I'll ever forget that hilarious bird.
While I really appreciated Stori's personal journey, I struggled with her character at times. Her growth was meaningful, but I found myself wishing it had happened a little earlier, giving us more time to enjoy the relationship that she and Seamus were working toward. Although their chemistry was undeniable, I never fully connected with them as a couple in the way I had hoped.
Even with those reservations, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Marysa Stevens balances humor, grief, healing, family secrets, and romance beautifully, creating a heartfelt read filled with memorable characters and one unforgettable vineyard.
Thank you to Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️
If you're looking for a romance with witty banter, a charming small-town vineyard, memorable side characters, and a hero who's impossible not to love, Behind Enemy Vines is definitely worth picking up.
After her carefully constructed life falls apart, Stori reluctantly returns to Pear City for the reading of her estranged grandmother's will, only to discover she's inherited half of a struggling vineyard. The other half belongs to Seamus, a high school science teacher, volunteer firefighter, and one of the most genuinely kind romance heroes I've read in quite a while. Their first meeting had me laughing out loud, and from that moment on, their banter became one of my favorite parts of the entire book.
Seamus was easily the standout character for me. Patient, dependable, and endlessly willing to give people the benefit of the doubt, he continually chose compassion over frustration, even when Stori made it difficult. He never tried to force her to open up, instead allowing her the space to work through years of hurt and carefully built walls. He truly embodied the idea that sometimes the strongest people are also the gentlest.
The vineyard itself almost felt like another character. I loved the cozy small-town atmosphere, the underdog story of bringing the winery back to life, and the gradual uncovering of family secrets that tied everything together. And then there was Pancakes the emu, who managed to steal nearly every scene they appeared in. I don't think I'll ever forget that hilarious bird.
While I really appreciated Stori's personal journey, I struggled with her character at times. Her growth was meaningful, but I found myself wishing it had happened a little earlier, giving us more time to enjoy the relationship that she and Seamus were working toward. Although their chemistry was undeniable, I never fully connected with them as a couple in the way I had hoped.
Even with those reservations, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Marysa Stevens balances humor, grief, healing, family secrets, and romance beautifully, creating a heartfelt read filled with memorable characters and one unforgettable vineyard.
Thank you to Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 6, 2026
ARC Review
Thank you to Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary for this ARC!
I really enjoyed this setting of this book. A struggling vineyard in a small town, which was inherited by two people who could not be more different. There was something quite enjoyable about this being a vineyard that hasn't seen much success. I find myself really rooting for them and there was a nice underdog rising to the challenge vibe.
I absolutely loved Seamus, the mmc. He was very levelheaded and calm, responsible and involved in the community. He was a high school teacher and volunteer firefighter !! The ultimate green flag man. He didn't push Stori too hard and, for the most part, remained very willing to work with her despite having plenty of reasons why he should in fact dislike her. He single-handedly brought up the rating of this book for me.
I also really like the background characters as well, particularly Riley. I’ll definitely check out the next book if it's about her. I like that she wasn't afraid to challenge Stori.
The part of this book I didn't like was Stori, the fmc. I hesitate to call her insufferable, because there are plenty of valid reasons that explain most of her behaviours. However, there were times where I thought she was just unnecessarily rude or mean to the other characters. By the end of the book she had experienced some growth but I wanted that to have happened earlier in the book and for it to have stuck. She felt very hot and cold at times and I could never tell if this was the moment she was actually growing, or if she was going to back to her old self the following page.
In terms of Seamus and Stori’s relationship, you could definitely feel the chemistry between them however on an emotional level I didn't feel as though they were particularly well matched. Even by the end of the book I found myself doubting their ability to last as a couple. I do think if Stori’s character growth had occurred earlier we would've had a chance to see them a bit more as a couple they end up as, not the emotionally unbalanced couple we had seen to that point.
Thank you to Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary for this ARC!
I really enjoyed this setting of this book. A struggling vineyard in a small town, which was inherited by two people who could not be more different. There was something quite enjoyable about this being a vineyard that hasn't seen much success. I find myself really rooting for them and there was a nice underdog rising to the challenge vibe.
I absolutely loved Seamus, the mmc. He was very levelheaded and calm, responsible and involved in the community. He was a high school teacher and volunteer firefighter !! The ultimate green flag man. He didn't push Stori too hard and, for the most part, remained very willing to work with her despite having plenty of reasons why he should in fact dislike her. He single-handedly brought up the rating of this book for me.
I also really like the background characters as well, particularly Riley. I’ll definitely check out the next book if it's about her. I like that she wasn't afraid to challenge Stori.
The part of this book I didn't like was Stori, the fmc. I hesitate to call her insufferable, because there are plenty of valid reasons that explain most of her behaviours. However, there were times where I thought she was just unnecessarily rude or mean to the other characters. By the end of the book she had experienced some growth but I wanted that to have happened earlier in the book and for it to have stuck. She felt very hot and cold at times and I could never tell if this was the moment she was actually growing, or if she was going to back to her old self the following page.
In terms of Seamus and Stori’s relationship, you could definitely feel the chemistry between them however on an emotional level I didn't feel as though they were particularly well matched. Even by the end of the book I found myself doubting their ability to last as a couple. I do think if Stori’s character growth had occurred earlier we would've had a chance to see them a bit more as a couple they end up as, not the emotionally unbalanced couple we had seen to that point.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Behind Enemy Vines was so cute! After losing her job and learning that her estranged grandmother died, Stori heads to Oregon planning to deal with the estate and get out of there as quickly as possible. Instead, she finds herself inheriting a vineyard with Seamus, a local firefighter and science teacher who seems to know more about her grandmother’s life than she does.
Stori is stubborn, guarded, and operating almost entirely from a place of self-protection. She's dealing with so much even when she's trying to pretend she's fine. She confronts her complicated feelings about her grandmother and it was a little heartbreaking. There were so many times that I just wanted her to stop running from everything and let herself be loved. Seamus was such a nice guy. He's patient without being a pushover, protective without being overbearing, and he consistently shows up when it matters. The more I learned about him, the more I understood why everyone in town trusted him. He felt like the kind of person who becomes a safe place for people without even realizing he's doing it. The banter was great, the chemistry was lovely and I loved how they eventually relied on each other.
I also need to mention Pancakes the emu because that bird caused chaos every chance he got and became one of my favorite side characters! This story made me laugh, made me tear up, and made me surprisingly attached to a vineyard that I never wanted to leave. I love Stori and Seamus, but I love how Stori finally let herself have the life she actually wanted just a bit more! If you want a book that is a bit emotional but just feels good, this is the perfect vintage.
Stori is stubborn, guarded, and operating almost entirely from a place of self-protection. She's dealing with so much even when she's trying to pretend she's fine. She confronts her complicated feelings about her grandmother and it was a little heartbreaking. There were so many times that I just wanted her to stop running from everything and let herself be loved. Seamus was such a nice guy. He's patient without being a pushover, protective without being overbearing, and he consistently shows up when it matters. The more I learned about him, the more I understood why everyone in town trusted him. He felt like the kind of person who becomes a safe place for people without even realizing he's doing it. The banter was great, the chemistry was lovely and I loved how they eventually relied on each other.
I also need to mention Pancakes the emu because that bird caused chaos every chance he got and became one of my favorite side characters! This story made me laugh, made me tear up, and made me surprisingly attached to a vineyard that I never wanted to leave. I love Stori and Seamus, but I love how Stori finally let herself have the life she actually wanted just a bit more! If you want a book that is a bit emotional but just feels good, this is the perfect vintage.
June 25, 2026
Stori has spent her life becoming the best version of herself, or at least the version she feels she should be for everyone else to love her.
Her carefully curated world starts to crumble, and she finds herself heading to Pear City for the reading of her grandmother's will. Stori avoided Verna for years after she let some family secrets slip when she was a teenager. Now, she fears Verna is determined to torture her with a worthless vineyard and outlandish stipulations within her will.
Seamus is the sunshine to Stori’s grumpy attitude. Their first meeting was so hilarious that I couldn't read for the tears in my eyes.
The chemistry between Seamus and Stori is electrifying, although it is a slow burn before they stop fighting what is before them. Seamus quickly sees that she uses her snarky attitude to hide behind her feelings.
This story has many layers and secrets to uncover. I loved how this story touched my heart. How the town, Verna’s closest friends, Verna herself, opened Stori’s eyes to the woman she never truly knew.
Can Stori find herself among the vineyard and its unique farm animals, or will she keep running?
I always love a story that deals with grief, and this one is exceptional. The heartache is felt among the characters as they strive to move forward while mourning a beloved member of their community.
If you love enemies to lovers with banter, laughter, and mixed with emotions of grief, then this is the story for you.
Thank you, Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary, for the ARC of Behind Enemy Vines. All opinions are my own.
Her carefully curated world starts to crumble, and she finds herself heading to Pear City for the reading of her grandmother's will. Stori avoided Verna for years after she let some family secrets slip when she was a teenager. Now, she fears Verna is determined to torture her with a worthless vineyard and outlandish stipulations within her will.
Seamus is the sunshine to Stori’s grumpy attitude. Their first meeting was so hilarious that I couldn't read for the tears in my eyes.
The chemistry between Seamus and Stori is electrifying, although it is a slow burn before they stop fighting what is before them. Seamus quickly sees that she uses her snarky attitude to hide behind her feelings.
This story has many layers and secrets to uncover. I loved how this story touched my heart. How the town, Verna’s closest friends, Verna herself, opened Stori’s eyes to the woman she never truly knew.
Can Stori find herself among the vineyard and its unique farm animals, or will she keep running?
I always love a story that deals with grief, and this one is exceptional. The heartache is felt among the characters as they strive to move forward while mourning a beloved member of their community.
If you love enemies to lovers with banter, laughter, and mixed with emotions of grief, then this is the story for you.
Thank you, Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary, for the ARC of Behind Enemy Vines. All opinions are my own.
August 23, 2026
Behind Enemy Vines was a kick, it was hilarious and a hot mess all at the same time. Just when you start getting giggly that Stori and Seamus are finally letting it burn, BAM something happens. I think I laughed more during this book than any other reaction, wait no I take that back Stori made me mad a lot, but that's a different story. Stori is best described as a complicated hot head who definitely can benefit from some therapy. Then you have Seamus who is a golden retriever who doesn’t know when to quit. Now, the downside I had to the book was I wish there was a larger focus on the wine portion of the story. It kinda just popped up at random points, and that was that. The main focus of the story was on Stori and Seamus, and their slow burn romance filled with snide comments and rude remarks from Stori. Overall I loved the book, solid 4 star, easy read, OH and I can’t forget to mention Pancake either, he is the farm's Emu, he was definitely a strong side character in the book.
Review of advance copy
La última persona con la que Stori McKinsey esperaba compartir una propiedad era un hombre al que minutos antes atropelló.
Después de abandonar una carrera que consumió años de su vida, Stori llega a Oregón convencida de que solo debe resolver unos asuntos familiares y regresar a casa. Sin embargo, el testamento de su difunta abuela tiene otros planes. Para obtener la herencia, deberá permanecer en un pequeño pueblo que detesta y colaborar con Seamus Truett, un hombre que parece decidido a complicarle cada día y disfrutarlo.
Seamus creyó conocer a Verna Caldwell mejor que nadie. Por eso, cuando descubre que el destino del viñedo que ella amaba depende también de una nieta ausente que no quiere estar allí, no sabe si sentirse traicionado o intrigado.
Gracias Marysa por el ARC.
Después de abandonar una carrera que consumió años de su vida, Stori llega a Oregón convencida de que solo debe resolver unos asuntos familiares y regresar a casa. Sin embargo, el testamento de su difunta abuela tiene otros planes. Para obtener la herencia, deberá permanecer en un pequeño pueblo que detesta y colaborar con Seamus Truett, un hombre que parece decidido a complicarle cada día y disfrutarlo.
Seamus creyó conocer a Verna Caldwell mejor que nadie. Por eso, cuando descubre que el destino del viñedo que ella amaba depende también de una nieta ausente que no quiere estar allí, no sabe si sentirse traicionado o intrigado.
Gracias Marysa por el ARC.
Review of advance copy
Behind Enemy Vines by Marysa Stevens is a tense, emotionally charged small town romance novel that blends family inheritance and a complicated attraction against a richly atmospheric backdrop. Set in the background of, Pear City, we are introduced to the FMC Stori McKinsey, a, event planner who has spent years building her perfect life only to see it come crumbling down due to a lie, and the MMC Seamus Truett, high school chemistry teacher, volunteer firefighter, who wishes to honors her grandmothers memory. From the very start, I fell in love Stori and Seamus. Overall, Behind Enemy Vines was an amazing novel to read and I really hope others give it the chance that it deserves!
I received an ARC copy from Luna Literacy. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
I received an ARC copy from Luna Literacy. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!
June 30, 2026
Y'all...I truly read this book in one sitting! I just couldn't put it down. I was hooked from the very first sentence and my attention never wandered.
Stori and Seamus have just become co-owners of a vineyard, forced to work together. Except they don't get along even a little and Stori doesn't exactly want the vineyard. I loved how the enemies to lovers trop was done here! There was tension from the very beginning and banter that played out so well! I also loved the characrer development and deeper looks we got into these two.
Add in some feathered friends and the scene is truly set! This book was a fun one providing laughs but also packing more emotion that I expected! I definitely recommend giving this one a try!!
Thank you to Luna Literary and the author for the opportunity to read this e-arc!! All opinions are my own.
Stori and Seamus have just become co-owners of a vineyard, forced to work together. Except they don't get along even a little and Stori doesn't exactly want the vineyard. I loved how the enemies to lovers trop was done here! There was tension from the very beginning and banter that played out so well! I also loved the characrer development and deeper looks we got into these two.
Add in some feathered friends and the scene is truly set! This book was a fun one providing laughs but also packing more emotion that I expected! I definitely recommend giving this one a try!!
Thank you to Luna Literary and the author for the opportunity to read this e-arc!! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is one of those books where you can see being fully adapted to a movie!
Loved seeing Stori go from a polished, guarded event planner to someone who embraces the messiness of a struggling vineyard. The chemistry between Stori and Seamus along and their enemies to lovers tension brought the best banter!
Also- the PNW as the setting backdrop 🤩. Perfect summer read!
🏡 Small town winery setting
👥 Enemies to lovers
🧬 He is a science teacher & volunteer firefighter
👠 She is a city event planner
🪦 Forced proximity
🤐 family secrets
📈 Redemption arc & growth
🔥 Open door
📚 Arc
4.5 rounded up for GR.
Loved seeing Stori go from a polished, guarded event planner to someone who embraces the messiness of a struggling vineyard. The chemistry between Stori and Seamus along and their enemies to lovers tension brought the best banter!
Also- the PNW as the setting backdrop 🤩. Perfect summer read!
🏡 Small town winery setting
👥 Enemies to lovers
🧬 He is a science teacher & volunteer firefighter
👠 She is a city event planner
🪦 Forced proximity
🤐 family secrets
📈 Redemption arc & growth
🔥 Open door
📚 Arc
4.5 rounded up for GR.
July 14, 2026
I was instantly hooked with this book. Stori heads to pear city to attend the reading of her grandmothers will. To her surprise, she is now the half owner of her grandmothers struggling winery. The catch? The other half belongs to Semus. The chemistry teacher and volunteer firefighter. While Semus wants to revive the winery, Stori looks for an exit as fast as she can.
The banter between the two main characters is unmatched. Their chemistry is almost instant. I absolutely loved this book. It is such a feel good story. 5/5 ⭐️ 2/5 🌶️
🍇 winery setting
🍇 swoony small town romance
🍇 generational secrets
🍇 city girl fmc
🍇 PNW Setting
🍇 slutty wine tasting
The banter between the two main characters is unmatched. Their chemistry is almost instant. I absolutely loved this book. It is such a feel good story. 5/5 ⭐️ 2/5 🌶️
🍇 winery setting
🍇 swoony small town romance
🍇 generational secrets
🍇 city girl fmc
🍇 PNW Setting
🍇 slutty wine tasting
June 25, 2026
The beginning of this one stars off in utter chaos, which made it a bit harder for me to get into. But I have to say I stayed for it and I am so glad I did. Reading as Stori and Seamus navigate their loss and recover while also finding each other became a fabulous read. I liked the banter and the underlying mystery that was there while also set in a vineyard whi h made for a page turner from middle to end. Thank you, Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary Management, for the opportunity to read this arc for my honest opinion.
July 6, 2026
If you are looking for a book with enemies to lovers and great banter this might be the book for you. But a note….it also deals with grief and heartache while mourning an important person. So if this isn’t the time for this type of book in your life….just TBR it for later.
Seamus and Stori are tasked with running her late grandmother’s vineyard after the reading of the will. Stori has loads of baggage that she carries and that is part of her grumpy and snarky demeanor. Seamus is just such a good male lead and I really liked him as he helped Stori and fell in love with her.
Bonus points to Pancake the emu. An excellent side character. 😉
Seamus and Stori are tasked with running her late grandmother’s vineyard after the reading of the will. Stori has loads of baggage that she carries and that is part of her grumpy and snarky demeanor. Seamus is just such a good male lead and I really liked him as he helped Stori and fell in love with her.
Bonus points to Pancake the emu. An excellent side character. 😉
June 25, 2026
Let me start this off by saying, there is no content warning page HOWEVER there are mentions of terminal illness.
Did I enjoy this one? I did, I enjoyed the characters, their setting, the story developing between them. Overall the pacing was fine, it kept me engaged.
Thank you to Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read this as an arc.
Did I enjoy this one? I did, I enjoyed the characters, their setting, the story developing between them. Overall the pacing was fine, it kept me engaged.
Thank you to Marysa Stevens and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read this as an arc.
June 26, 2026
This is a heartfelt romance that pulls at the heartstrings. Stori and Seamus, the dynamic between them shifted so much from when they first met. Seamus is so sweet and caring, a genuine nice guy. Stori, she has a lot to work through and I loved how patient and supportive Seamus was.
July 7, 2026
Steamy romance with witty banter, family drama, and an emu… what’s not to love! Stori’s story is set at a struggling vineyard, where instant chemistry and forced proximity with the dashing Seamus are the perfect ingredients for a physical relationship that turns to more. Highly recommend 👍
July 15, 2026
I enjoyed the banter and the found family. To me it seems like it should be turned into a Hallmark movie or something. Thank you Luna Literary for an e-arc!
August 25, 2026
Absolutely adorable! Hallmark movie vibes, with a dash of spice.
June 25, 2026
This book was great! I was hooked from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down!
June 25, 2026
⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5 stars)
Behind Enemy Vines was a sweet, emotional story about healing, forgiveness, and finding your way back to yourself. Stori's life completely unravels in the span of a week, forcing her out of the fast-paced world she's carefully built and into the small town—and struggling vineyard—her grandmother left behind. Watching her reluctantly reconnect with her family's past while navigating grief, old wounds, and unexpected second chances made for an enjoyable journey. I especially liked the dynamic between Stori and Seamus. Their constant clashing slowly gave way to trust, and I appreciated that their relationship developed alongside Stori's emotional growth rather than overshadowing it. While I enjoyed the themes of grief, forgiveness, and learning to trust again, the story moved a little slower than I would have liked, and I never felt completely invested in the plot. Even so, it was a heartfelt read with lovable characters and an uplifting message that many readers will enjoy.
If you're looking for a small-town romance with family secrets and healing, this one is worth picking up.
Behind Enemy Vines was a sweet, emotional story about healing, forgiveness, and finding your way back to yourself. Stori's life completely unravels in the span of a week, forcing her out of the fast-paced world she's carefully built and into the small town—and struggling vineyard—her grandmother left behind. Watching her reluctantly reconnect with her family's past while navigating grief, old wounds, and unexpected second chances made for an enjoyable journey. I especially liked the dynamic between Stori and Seamus. Their constant clashing slowly gave way to trust, and I appreciated that their relationship developed alongside Stori's emotional growth rather than overshadowing it. While I enjoyed the themes of grief, forgiveness, and learning to trust again, the story moved a little slower than I would have liked, and I never felt completely invested in the plot. Even so, it was a heartfelt read with lovable characters and an uplifting message that many readers will enjoy.
If you're looking for a small-town romance with family secrets and healing, this one is worth picking up.
June 30, 2026
I loved everything about this read!!! It gave exactly what you’d expect and I loved it!
I’d recommend for sure!
I’d recommend for sure!
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