Nothing But Trouble

The Vineyard Next Door #1

by Michelle Major

EMMA
Five minutes before saying I do, I walked out on my fiancé in front of the entire town.

Now everyone thinks I'm the villain of this story. Everyone except Ethan Fox.

Everyone's against me except Ethan Fox. My ex's bad-boy brother has looked straight through me since high school, but he's back to rebuild the vineyard he once burned down. He's trouble and temporary and the last man I have any business wanting.

So why is he the first to see past the good girl I've spent my whole life pretending to be? Because the longer he stays, the further I fall.

ETHAN
I only came home to settle a debt at my family’s vineyard. Falling for my brother's runaway bride was not part of the plan.

Emma Sullivan is adored in a town that can't stand the sight of me, while I’m the screwup who left and swore he'd never look back.

Only the more time I spend with her, the less I care, and the harder it gets to remember I came here to leave. But when disaster sends the past roaring back into our lives, I do the one thing I promised her I wouldn't.

204 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2026

About the author

USA Today and Top 5 Amazon Bestselling author Michelle Major writes swoon-worthy stories full of heart, heat, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters. When she’s not dreaming up romance, you’ll find her hiking the trails (or avoiding housework) in her home state of Colorado.

Connect with her at www.michellemajor.com or come say hi on Instagram and Facebook.

Reviews

[Janilyn Kocher]

I wish Ethan had decked Blake a few more times than he did.
I was outraged that Emma took the blame for the cancelled wedding when she did the smartest thing and left.
I liked how Ethan wasted no time in going after what he wanted but he let old demons get the best of him.
Grandma needs to be taken down a few notches and Riley has got away with too much. She needs to be held accountable for her carelessness.
Thanks Michelle Major for the advance copy.

[Brandy Huckaby]

Great start to this trilogy series. A bit of a whirlwind romance going on here between these main characters. It seems they’ve all kind of had some buried feelings for years though, and are just now finally admitting it. I love the side characters: Maya and Alex. He is perfect for her, and I’m hoping we’ll get a bit more of them in the rest of this series. And I’m rooting SOOO hard for Emma to get her happily-ever-after ending. But Ethan to be honest has me conflicted at this point. He’s a bit hot-headed which is somewhat of a red flag to me. But at the same time, he’s been through some stuff in his life, and built up some pretty high walls as a result. So I think it’s just his instinct and reflex to protect himself. I know he cares for Emma, but he definitely needs to do some work on himself before I think he can really be the best partner for her. Let’s see what book #2 brings for us….

[Donna]

In book one of The Vineyard Next Door trilogy we meet Emma Sullivan and Ethan Fox. We'll follow this couple through the three book series. Emma, always the people pleaser and fixer, reunites with bad boy Ethan Fox as she flees the church five minutes before her wedding. Did I mention that the groom is Ethan's younger brother? Oops.

A simple offer to help a person in need slowly morphs into an attraction and sweet moments. Their forbidden romance causes quite the stir in both families as well as their hometown. You'll meet strong women throughout Emma & Ethan's story and feel immersed in their lives, enjoy several picturesque settings, and get peeks into their families. Politics, family, and rivalries are key components of the plot that will keep you reading.

We were also introduced to another couple carefully stepping into their own second chance romance, Alex and Maya. I hope to see more of their story in books 2 and 3. You're going to be cheering for them to have their own HEA, too!

Thank you, Michelle Major, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

[Ashley Jenkins]

Michelle always finds a way to grab your attention and hook you into her books! With her ease of writing, the light hearted feelings her books bring, and the swoony men she writes about, these books always find a way at winning over my heart instantly. And this one was no exception! What a unique start to this short, but sweet start. Rivaling families who are embedded into this small town, and now have some drama that keeps you intrigued and interested and flipping through the pages faster and faster.

You first meet Emma, who is a runaway bride, but with good reason. She’s a go getter, always willing to help people out and put them above herself and her own happiness. Oh, and she’s the town Mayor. Her now ex fiancé’s brother, Ethan, is the one who rescues her. Ethan is the black sheep on the Fox family. He’s the one who was a trouble maker and caused a lot of uproar before he moved away. But now he’s back on a temporary mission. But there’s something about Emma — despite them knowing each other since they were kids and their families being rivals, Emma lights something inside of Ethan. Something that he’s been missing for a long time. And Ethan brings back happiness and a freedom that Emma has never had. Although the town has much to say about it, Emma and Ethan take a shot at each other and give into the pull they’ve felt since he picked her up on the side of the road in her wedding dress. But drama and incidents keep happening, causing them to question if their love for each other can override the family drama.

There is also a side relationship forming between the CEO at the Fox’s Vineyard and Emma’s best Friday Maya. They have a very behind the scenes relationship blooming, but still none the sweeter. I loved that it gave another insight into a completely different relationship. I hope it continues in the other books!

This book was the beginning of this trilogy and I’m excited to see where the other two books go!

This was an ARC read for me and these are my honest opinions.

[Sue]

Emma sees Ethan Fox for the first time in years when she is running away from her wedding to his brother Blake and falls and sprains her ankle. Ethan was the town’s bad boy and had been a major bully to her in high school and she definitely isn’t happy that he is the person to pick her up and take her home. The cancelled wedding is more than a problem for Emma. She is the mayor of the small town of Foxridge where there has been a decades long feud between the Foxes and the Sullivans. The wedding between Emma Sullivan and Blake Fox was the social event of the year and the town believed that it would end the feud between the families. When Emma ran out on the wedding, the town was angry with her and blamed her even though in reality she had caught her almost groom being unfaithful to her right before the wedding. So, we have Emma as the town sweetheart that everyone is mad at, Blake as the rejected groom that the town has sympathy for and Ethan as the bad boy brother who has returned for what he plans to be a very short time. Will the sparks between Emma and Ethan ignite a romance and will the town ever forgive Emma?

[Kathleen]

This is Book #1 of The Vineyard Next Door Series, where we meet the residence of Foxridge and the Sullivan and Fox family's.

Emma Sullivan is the town mayor and the sweetheart of the town, until she becomes the runaway bride from what is deemed The Royal Wedding of Foxridge. It would have brought the two founding family's together, but now Emma is seen as the one who broke the heart of the home town boy...But is she really the one in the wrong here for calling things off at the last minute.

Enter Ethan Fox who comes home for the wedding.. He left in extenuating circumstances years ago and he finds Emma in her wedding dress walking away from the church and offers her a ride after she hurst her ankle. And he may be the only one who believes that she is not in the wrong for calling things off... So will Ethan get his chance to make amends to his family and right so wrongs.
A tale of a small town and two people whose lives our entwined in the town and will Emma be able to repair her tarnished reputation and get re-elected Mayor and will Ethan who has become he knight in shinning armor at the same time make emends to his family and re-build things at the family vineyard. Time will tell what happens in Foxridge.

We also will meet Maya and Alex who's lives are intertwined with Emma and Ethan. It is a friendship that will hopefully turn into more.

I really liked this first books and can't wait to see what happens for these two couples and the Sullivan and Fox families in books 2 &3. Will the truth be revealed of what really happened with runaway bride Emma... And will HEA happpen for Emma and Ethan.

I give this book a 4 1/2 stars

[Perrin Larton]

This is a cute runaway bride story. The wedding was to have united the two founding families in Foxridge, but Blake is a dog and Emma caught him with his pants down...literally...at the church.

Ethan, Blake's brother, helps Emma get home, wedding gown and all, after a mishap and wants to punch his brother...understandably. Emma has had feelings for Ethan since they were in school, but never let him know. Ethan has feelings for Emma, but isn't sure whether he can trust them.

Come on in and enjoy this budding second chance at romance story. There are two more stories in this trilogy, so the ending is a bit of a cliff hanger, and communication would go a long way for Emma and Ethan! All of the books are out on the same day, so sit down and binge this collection!

[Cassie]

Emma Sullivan has always been the good girl. Always did what was expected of her until she walks out of her wedding to Blake Fox. Even though she isn't the one who betrayed the relationship she takes the fall for it. Ethan Fox is Blake's brother who unwittingly picks up the runaway bride after being gone for more than a decade. Ethan wants to repair his relationship with his mother by fixing something that wasn't his fault. Something is brewing between them, but there are obstacles they need to overcome.

[Caitlyn]

Forbidden romance is never at the top of my trope list…but after this book it may start climbing the ranks!

Emma is our runaway bride who is truly to nice for her own good. Like c’mon girlfriend, you should have let Blake have it! And we have Ethan, who has returned to our sleepy little town, who is really just wants to reconstruct the tasting room and get the heck outta dodge.

Am I being cryptic? Yes, yes I am. But there are two more books for Ethan and Emma to figure out their personal life and their love life, so you’ll have to wait right along side me 💙

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton]

A runaway bride, her ex's estranged brother, hidden feelings, forbidden romance, family drama, a vineyard in need of repair as well as some relationships. Lucky for us there are three wonderful books to sort all this out plus a few surprises thrown in to keep things interesting. I am here for it all! This story brings "it's complicated" to a whole new level. I already love all the characters and the writing. This story is fantastic, funny and completely entertaining. I'm so looking forward to the next book!

[Nenesbooks13]

This is the first book in this trilogy and I was so hooked!! Emma is a run away bride, when she was on the ran she twisted her ankle and Ethan rescues her. Ethan is Emma’s fiancé’s brother, and Ethan is pretty much the black sheep of his family, but he’s also in town for a bit. Emma is the towns mayor and there’s been a feud between Emma and Ethan‘s family for a very long time. Emma has had feelings for Ethan for a while, but he has no idea and Ethan also has feelings for Emma too but his walls are built so high he doesn’t know what to do with them. This book ends with a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what comes next in the next book.

[Lana]

This is the first book of the trilogy and already has me hooked with a runaway bride, a vineyard setting, and a second chance, forbidden romance. Between the family dynamics, past events, and a bit of politics thrown in for good measure, things get complicated very quickly. I adored Ethan and Emma, though both clearly have some work to do. A subplot romance adds extra fun to the story. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

[Kathleen]

What a way to catch your attention!.
The runaway brides who had every right to run.
We meet Emma, Blake and Ethan in this first book.
We learn thr feud between the Fox and Sullivan families.
Emma is the mayor who is seen as the "perfect" people pleaser.
Blake is just a snake, who is letting Emma take the heat about calling off the wedding.
Ethan is the prodigal/bad boy son.
Riley is the good girl who wants to be bad.
Jessa is Blake and Ethan's mom.
Tom is Emma, Riley and Ben's dad.
Ethan and Emma connect and if looks like they may become the pair until an incident occurs and Ethan lashes out. Could he gave just ruined the one thing ge ghinks he wants?
I enjoy the many characters in the book. Some need to be taken down a bit.

[Karen B]

An introduction to the couple that is followed through the series. Emma’s looking for a fresh start after leaving her ex at the alter. Ethan returned home to rebuild the family business. Their chemistry is magnetic, and the angst and tension high. The cliffhanger made me immediately start the second book.
Thanks to the author for the copy.

[Bookreviewsbyalthea]

ARC review: this is the first time I have arc read an entire trilogy before it is released. I really enjoy this authors books. I like that this series is based on two rivaling families. I don't like how this first book ends but I am hopeful that these problems will be resolved in the second book. I think that Emma belongs with Ethan. I hope the author agrees.

[Victoria]

Nothing But Trouble is a cute forbidden runaway bride read. It will suck you in from the start. I loved the characters, the banter and undeniable chemistry. I enjoyed Ethan and Emma journey as they overcome their differences and the challenges. It’s a fun and enjoyable read. Looking forward to reading more.

[Shari]

The first book in the trilogy. Emma is a runaway bride and who saves her, nothing better than the groom's brother, Ethan. Emma is the town mayor and Ethan is known as the black sheep of the family. Ethan has only returned home temporarily but that might change as he gets to know Emma. Can their relationship grow with the family drama? There is also a side relationship Between friends Alex and Maya, that I hope develops into more.

I had a hard time putting this book down, Loved these characters and the family drama that takes place. You need to read these books in order.

[Missy]

What a great start to the series. This story pulled me right in. There are so many characters that you are introduced to. The characters become a part of you and you will want to hug, cry, and feel all their emotions. I can't wait to move on to the next book and see how this story continues.

[Toni]

Instead of a quick finish, this book is the start of a three-book slow burn. I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know Emma and Ethan better, even as their story unfolded more gracefully. This story is too big for a single book, it’s going to take three. I, for one, am in for the ride.

[Mary Jackson _TheMaryReader]

Major has done it again. This was a sweet read, and I cannot wait to dive into book two. I have to find out if we are going to have a happy ending or not.

[Jami Presswood]

Such a good book!! I love Emma and Ethan’s story! The dynamics of the families and intertwining of the different characters!! Read this book so fast as I couldn’t put it down!

[Tammie Gunter]

Great story, Great characters, could not put it down. Cant wait to read the next 2 books. She is one of my favorite authors.

[Stephanie Routhier]

*I received a copy of this book as an ARC. This review and thoughts are mine alone.*

Rating:
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[Meagen Jongewaard]

This pulled me in right from the start! Small town romance, second chance, ex's older brother; need I say more? Emma has so much to live up to, so much working against her, yet doesn't let it all stand in her way. Looking forward to book 2!