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LaChappelle/Whittier Winery #1
Crushing: LaChappelle/ Whittier Vineyards: Book 1
Josh is a legend in his own mind, and Elle has no time for it. She has a job to do, and a winery hangs in the balance. Unfortunately, it's his family's winery.
They'll either screw up each other's lives or... end up screwing.
Crushing is the story of two people who hate each other but rumor has it, with enough wine, anyone can fall in love.
ELLE
I'm in the middle of my pitch, and my breath catches, my body freezes, and I lose my words. Usually, nothing knocks me off my game. I'm a showman. But he's much more than nothing.
He seems as shocked to see me as I am to see him. I look around and begin to babble. "What are you doing here?"
He says in a raspy tone, "How are you here?"
I shoot back to him, "How are you here?" He looks sideways and then shakes his head pointedly at me.
I want this piece of business, and no glorified farmhand will get the best of me. So I slept with one of their employees. No big. I can recover. I blow it off. He steps forward and grabs a bottle of wine, and turns the label towards me.
"My name is Joshua Lucien LaChappelle Whittier," he says. "You know nothing about me, Cosmo. And you can call me Josh."
Visions of LaChappelle/Whittier family tree choke me. It's the son who doesn't want the winery. Then he walks over and kisses his mother on the cheek. He places his hand on his father's shoulder before sitting. Oh, god. No. No. No. Oh no. I screwed their son. A lot. I screwed him a lot. I dirty screwed their son. I slutty screwed their son. I know what their son tastes like. Oh, god. Composure. I have to find it. I need this job. Focus. He will not get the best of me. I can do this. I don't lose, and I won't lose this piece of business or any piece of my heart to this intolerable and very hot man.
Set in Sonoma, California's Wine Country, this is the first book in the 5 Families Vineyard Series and, of course, the LaChappelle/Whittier Winery Trilogy.
They'll either screw up each other's lives or... end up screwing.
Crushing is the story of two people who hate each other but rumor has it, with enough wine, anyone can fall in love.
ELLE
I'm in the middle of my pitch, and my breath catches, my body freezes, and I lose my words. Usually, nothing knocks me off my game. I'm a showman. But he's much more than nothing.
He seems as shocked to see me as I am to see him. I look around and begin to babble. "What are you doing here?"
He says in a raspy tone, "How are you here?"
I shoot back to him, "How are you here?" He looks sideways and then shakes his head pointedly at me.
I want this piece of business, and no glorified farmhand will get the best of me. So I slept with one of their employees. No big. I can recover. I blow it off. He steps forward and grabs a bottle of wine, and turns the label towards me.
"My name is Joshua Lucien LaChappelle Whittier," he says. "You know nothing about me, Cosmo. And you can call me Josh."
Visions of LaChappelle/Whittier family tree choke me. It's the son who doesn't want the winery. Then he walks over and kisses his mother on the cheek. He places his hand on his father's shoulder before sitting. Oh, god. No. No. No. Oh no. I screwed their son. A lot. I screwed him a lot. I dirty screwed their son. I slutty screwed their son. I know what their son tastes like. Oh, god. Composure. I have to find it. I need this job. Focus. He will not get the best of me. I can do this. I don't lose, and I won't lose this piece of business or any piece of my heart to this intolerable and very hot man.
Set in Sonoma, California's Wine Country, this is the first book in the 5 Families Vineyard Series and, of course, the LaChappelle/Whittier Winery Trilogy.
366 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2020
144 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Kay
42 books285 followersI used to create "dreams" with my best friend growing up. We'd each pick a boy we liked, then we'd write down a meet-cute that always ended with a happily ever after.
Now I get to dream every day, although it's a little steamier these days. And I've discovered I can and will write anywhere I can. Keep tuned to Instagram to see all the times I fit in a sentence or two.
I'm a writer, married to a writer, mother of a creative dynamo of a nine-year-old boy and currently a little sleepy. I'm a klutz and goofball and love lipstick as much as my Chuck Taylors.
Good things in the world: pepperoni pizza, Flair pens*, wine, coffee, laughing with my friends until my stomach hurts, a musician at the top of their game, getting lost somewhere I've never been, matinee movies on a weekday, the Chicago Cubs, a fresh new notebook full of possibilities, bourbon on a cold night, Fantasy Football, witty men, walking through the local zoo in the rain and that moment when a character clicks in and begins to write their own adventure. I'm just the pen.
Now I get to dream every day, although it's a little steamier these days. And I've discovered I can and will write anywhere I can. Keep tuned to Instagram to see all the times I fit in a sentence or two.
I'm a writer, married to a writer, mother of a creative dynamo of a nine-year-old boy and currently a little sleepy. I'm a klutz and goofball and love lipstick as much as my Chuck Taylors.
Good things in the world: pepperoni pizza, Flair pens*, wine, coffee, laughing with my friends until my stomach hurts, a musician at the top of their game, getting lost somewhere I've never been, matinee movies on a weekday, the Chicago Cubs, a fresh new notebook full of possibilities, bourbon on a cold night, Fantasy Football, witty men, walking through the local zoo in the rain and that moment when a character clicks in and begins to write their own adventure. I'm just the pen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 29, 2021
Where it all began!
This is Kelly’s first book, but you wouldn’t be able to tell. This is an epic story of two strong individuals who are so much fun to read about.
Elle is a marketing monster who was brought in to help, what she didn’t plan on was falling in love with Sonoma, wine and all the people attached to it. She especially didn’t plan on a one night stand to totally change everything. Joshua is a strong, opinionated alphahole who thinks he knows better. But then he walked into a bar and the script was flipped.
Kelly Kay is more than just a talented author, she is a storyteller. She writes in such a vivid way you can’t stop yourself from mentally drinking some Chardonnay in the midst of a star filled night in Sonoma. With this being the beginning of a trilogy, there won’t be a HEA at the end, but I am glad, because I’m not ready for my time with this group of characters to be done.
This story has so much witty banter, and scenes that will make you blush it makes me wonder what is rolling around in Kelly’s brain! If Kelly Kay isn’t on your 1-click author list then you are missing out! Start reading these books, you are going to be better for it! And if you disagree then at least you will be more knowledgeable about wine! 😜
This is Kelly’s first book, but you wouldn’t be able to tell. This is an epic story of two strong individuals who are so much fun to read about.
Elle is a marketing monster who was brought in to help, what she didn’t plan on was falling in love with Sonoma, wine and all the people attached to it. She especially didn’t plan on a one night stand to totally change everything. Joshua is a strong, opinionated alphahole who thinks he knows better. But then he walked into a bar and the script was flipped.
Kelly Kay is more than just a talented author, she is a storyteller. She writes in such a vivid way you can’t stop yourself from mentally drinking some Chardonnay in the midst of a star filled night in Sonoma. With this being the beginning of a trilogy, there won’t be a HEA at the end, but I am glad, because I’m not ready for my time with this group of characters to be done.
This story has so much witty banter, and scenes that will make you blush it makes me wonder what is rolling around in Kelly’s brain! If Kelly Kay isn’t on your 1-click author list then you are missing out! Start reading these books, you are going to be better for it! And if you disagree then at least you will be more knowledgeable about wine! 😜
March 4, 2021
I may just be lust-drunk on Crushing’s Elle and Josh. Kelly Kay is one heck of a great writer, and I loved the clever twists, banter and pacing of this wine country strangers to lovers to enemies to friends to lovers to... well, who knows what’s next romance. The author turns the corkscrew on the tension which often makes you both love and hate her characters (sometimes on the same page) until things pop. It all makes for a terrific read sure to get only better with age!
February 17, 2021
Crushing starts with a romance between Noelle (Elle) and Asher, a silver fox wine expert. I got a bit concerned as they became intimate as he sucked (not in a good way) in bed, and was more concerned with folding his clothes and getting himself off in the shortest possible time than making sure it was good for Noelle. I kept thinking ‘he can’t be the one. Surely not? Don’t inflict this arse on her!’
Thank goodness, pretty soon after she kicks him to the kerb we meet the man who puts the A into alpha. Josh is hot, hard and horny and they spend a night together that blows their minds and trashes her hotel room. They part ways, believing they will never see each other again, however you know how things go in romance novels, and the very next morning, he’s there at the important presentation she’s giving and thinks she sought him out to get insider intel.
From this point on lust turns to hate and they spar with each other until he pushes it too far and nearly destroys her business. This is a turning point for Josh as he has to take a good hard look in the mirror and work out if he wants to be like his domineering grandfather, or like his wonderful parents who he keeps cutting out of his life. But just as his relationship is getting back on track, a client of his, a heavy hitting mobster, comes into his personal life with the subtlety of a wrecking ball…
I absolutely loved this book. It’s fantastically written, incredibly engaging and super hot. Kelly has also done her research and the world of wine growing and making is detailed and immersive. It’s a wonderful read and I couldn’t put it down.
The only flag to raise is that this fabulous book ends on a cliffhanger, so you need to be ready to move straight onto book two to find out what happens next!
The story continues in ‘Rooted’ and concludes in ‘Uncorked’.
Thank goodness, pretty soon after she kicks him to the kerb we meet the man who puts the A into alpha. Josh is hot, hard and horny and they spend a night together that blows their minds and trashes her hotel room. They part ways, believing they will never see each other again, however you know how things go in romance novels, and the very next morning, he’s there at the important presentation she’s giving and thinks she sought him out to get insider intel.
From this point on lust turns to hate and they spar with each other until he pushes it too far and nearly destroys her business. This is a turning point for Josh as he has to take a good hard look in the mirror and work out if he wants to be like his domineering grandfather, or like his wonderful parents who he keeps cutting out of his life. But just as his relationship is getting back on track, a client of his, a heavy hitting mobster, comes into his personal life with the subtlety of a wrecking ball…
I absolutely loved this book. It’s fantastically written, incredibly engaging and super hot. Kelly has also done her research and the world of wine growing and making is detailed and immersive. It’s a wonderful read and I couldn’t put it down.
The only flag to raise is that this fabulous book ends on a cliffhanger, so you need to be ready to move straight onto book two to find out what happens next!
The story continues in ‘Rooted’ and concludes in ‘Uncorked’.
July 6, 2024
I loved these two characters and I quite enjoyed getting to know them and seeing how their relationship began. I just wish it wasn’t quite such a jarring cliffhanger at the end. There are several things going on at once, and all of them have left me rather desperately wanting to know more. Elle and Josh were a lot of fun, whether they were fighting or… uh… making up. Now I need to decide: do I tackle my to-do list or grab the next book?
April 16, 2021
When they say "don't judge a book by its cover", I definitely did for this one and let me tell you, I was exactly right! This book was smashing!
It started off on the wrong foot with me between Noelle and Asher. I couldn't stand the way Asher treated her and it made me want to stop reading if he was going to be the leading man in this story. Once I got past him and we meet Joshua, I was full steam ahead in finishing this book. Noelle or Elle meets Joshua or Josh and the fireworks begin. They love each other and hate each other and find a happy in between. Just when you think this happy couple is on their way to a happily ever after more trouble arrives and BOOM the book is over.
I no more finished this book and was grabbing the next one in the series as I NEEDED MORE! Stop what you're doing, grab some wine, and bunker down for the ride as it's just getting started!
It started off on the wrong foot with me between Noelle and Asher. I couldn't stand the way Asher treated her and it made me want to stop reading if he was going to be the leading man in this story. Once I got past him and we meet Joshua, I was full steam ahead in finishing this book. Noelle or Elle meets Joshua or Josh and the fireworks begin. They love each other and hate each other and find a happy in between. Just when you think this happy couple is on their way to a happily ever after more trouble arrives and BOOM the book is over.
I no more finished this book and was grabbing the next one in the series as I NEEDED MORE! Stop what you're doing, grab some wine, and bunker down for the ride as it's just getting started!
August 12, 2022
surprising in a good way
I nearly gave up as I couldn’t believe Asher was getting so much air-time when he was such a slimes snake. I’m sooo glad I kept going! About to start the next one because I really dislike cliffhangers.
I nearly gave up as I couldn’t believe Asher was getting so much air-time when he was such a slimes snake. I’m sooo glad I kept going! About to start the next one because I really dislike cliffhangers.
June 27, 2023
4.5 🌟
Really liked this one. Felt like a random one on my kindle that I think I found on FREEBOOKSY. It was spicy and vineyard related. (Two of my favorite things) the rest of the series is on KU and now I’m invested.
🍷 🌶️ 🍷 🌶️
Really liked this one. Felt like a random one on my kindle that I think I found on FREEBOOKSY. It was spicy and vineyard related. (Two of my favorite things) the rest of the series is on KU and now I’m invested.
🍷 🌶️ 🍷 🌶️
May 4, 2020
Amazing!
Not enough x’s in sexy to describe this book! Loved the setting and the characters! Fun, sassy, steamy and sexy! Cannot wait to read the sequel “Rootstock”!
Not enough x’s in sexy to describe this book! Loved the setting and the characters! Fun, sassy, steamy and sexy! Cannot wait to read the sequel “Rootstock”!
May 14, 2022
I loved this whole community! So fun! Love the brooding, sexy leading man, Joshua and wanted to be part of his amazing family and friends too!
October 20, 2022
I am so happy I stumbled on this incredible book. Adore Elle and Josh. Great banter, fabulous wine country location and a great escape from everyday life. Highly recommend.
November 2, 2022
Crushing: LaChappelle/ Whittier Vineyards: Book 1. The book is not a standalone, and you’ll need to read the trilogy. The story ends in a cliffhanger. It continues with Rootstock and finishes with Uncorked. But I assure you, you’re gonna love it and you won’t stop until you see the words “the end” in Uncorked. Well, I couldn’t stop.
Noelle (Elle) is a New Yorker marketing shark who caught Asher’s eye. A wine expert whose beauty is only skin deep. They have a brief relationship and through him she meets with Sarah and Will. The couple wants a new life, and they hire Elle to boost the winery and make the sale. Elle is in Sonoma, and after a fallout with Asher, she has a wild, hot, one-night-stand with Josh, and they connect on all levels. They part on their way the next morning. Elle goes to her presentation at the winery and to her surprise, Josh was Sarah and Will’s son. And it’s right there the story takes a turn… (I won’t keep going so I don’t give spoilers. You’ll have to find out by yourself, and YOU WON’T REGRET IT!)
A lot happens in this story from love and hate bickering, chemistry off the charts, winery problems, laugh out loud situations, deep shit misunderstandings, and even an Italian mobster chaos. You have it all. Both Josh and Elle built a life far from their roots, and once they meet, they realize the life they built to this point is nothing more than a way to protect themselves from the pain of their earlier lives. Both characters have strong personalities, a lot of fire, and a scorching hot relationship of love and hate.
The world building around the winery is wonderful, and the second major characters are perfectly written. Besides, Kelly also starts introducing the other secondary characters. The people Josh grew up with and have a brotherly relationship with them, and it will make all the difference in this magical world of wine and love. It will make you feel part of the crowd, you’ll get friends for life. You’ll wish to be sitting with them, sipping wine and having a good time.
Noelle (Elle) is a New Yorker marketing shark who caught Asher’s eye. A wine expert whose beauty is only skin deep. They have a brief relationship and through him she meets with Sarah and Will. The couple wants a new life, and they hire Elle to boost the winery and make the sale. Elle is in Sonoma, and after a fallout with Asher, she has a wild, hot, one-night-stand with Josh, and they connect on all levels. They part on their way the next morning. Elle goes to her presentation at the winery and to her surprise, Josh was Sarah and Will’s son. And it’s right there the story takes a turn… (I won’t keep going so I don’t give spoilers. You’ll have to find out by yourself, and YOU WON’T REGRET IT!)
A lot happens in this story from love and hate bickering, chemistry off the charts, winery problems, laugh out loud situations, deep shit misunderstandings, and even an Italian mobster chaos. You have it all. Both Josh and Elle built a life far from their roots, and once they meet, they realize the life they built to this point is nothing more than a way to protect themselves from the pain of their earlier lives. Both characters have strong personalities, a lot of fire, and a scorching hot relationship of love and hate.
The world building around the winery is wonderful, and the second major characters are perfectly written. Besides, Kelly also starts introducing the other secondary characters. The people Josh grew up with and have a brotherly relationship with them, and it will make all the difference in this magical world of wine and love. It will make you feel part of the crowd, you’ll get friends for life. You’ll wish to be sitting with them, sipping wine and having a good time.
March 23, 2023
What an amazing start this was to a trilogy that I ended up binging. Small town, Wine country, enemies to lovers and so many funny moments with drama and heat. Josh and Elle had so much chemistry it sizzled 🔥. This wasn't just a regular romance read, the book and plot had so much more depth that I couldn't put it down. This book does end on a cliffhanger and trust me, you're going to want to jump right into book 2. Definitely a fave for me this year ❤️
September 16, 2021
This book is an epic read. It Is so much more than I could have thought it would be. It has a slight twist to the storyline which I absolutely loved. Joshua and Noelle's story will take you on a rollercoaster ride. You never know what might happen. This is a must read that I would recommend. I can't wait to start the next book in this series.
December 10, 2022
DNF. I have read worse books but I don't know what they are right now.
September 21, 2023
So funny and swoony. Picked this up in stuff your Kindle day. Then made the mistake of reading the first chapter and I devoured it in a day!!! Onto to book Two! So happy it's in KU! Wine, enemies to lovers and so much steam. Josh is everything.
September 24, 2023
This was delicious!
February 12, 2021
What a great surprise!
Another new-to-me author! She is exquisite with her words, her cadence, her story telling. I need the next two books in this trilogy now! Don't want excuses, I need part two! Mmmmmmm.
Another new-to-me author! She is exquisite with her words, her cadence, her story telling. I need the next two books in this trilogy now! Don't want excuses, I need part two! Mmmmmmm.
November 28, 2022
Great read and a great intro to the world of Kelly K! Definitely leaves you wanting more!
February 27, 2023
Great read
I Really enjoyed this first in this series. A cliff hanger. I wonder whether she'll forgive him somewhere in the future
I Really enjoyed this first in this series. A cliff hanger. I wonder whether she'll forgive him somewhere in the future
February 7, 2022
I received this book in my Romance Reveal Book Box. Not only was I introduced to a new author & got to read an interesting story set in California wine country. Noelle/Elle’s story begins a little slow & you’ll understand when we are introduced to Asher. But finally she gets wise to Asher & politely kicks him to the curb. Now Josh enters the story and Wow! This book almost catches fire 🔥 when Elle & Josh meet! But it takes a very interesting turn of events.You see Elle is marketing a vineyard that the owners are wanting to sell. She finds the husband & wife very kind & feels fate has brought them together. Later she finds out the mystery man she only knows as Josh is Joshua the sweet couples son and he is now her enemy. This book makes you feel like your at the vineyards in California. You can picture it in your mind. Great story and characters. Leaves you at cliffhanger so I’m off to read the next book in this series.
August 13, 2022
Josh and Elle kept me on my toes on every page. They are refreshing a hero and herione, I read surprised that is is the first of 3, I can't wait to devour that entire trilogy.
June 21, 2020
Written by my dear friend Kelly, and thus impossible to give an objective review. More overt sex than I usually look for in romance novels but didn't find it an issue at all. Loved the specificity of the wine country setting and found that I became more and more deeply involved in the characters and their connections as the book continued. Can't wait to read the next installment.
Read
March 3, 2021Raunchy and thrilling and so enjoyable.
February 27, 2022
Steamy and funny—perfectly blended!
I consumed this book in one day! The characters are fabulous and I am in love with the parents! I want to be part of Lachappelle/Whittier family so bad! So good and now, I have to know what happens next!
I consumed this book in one day! The characters are fabulous and I am in love with the parents! I want to be part of Lachappelle/Whittier family so bad! So good and now, I have to know what happens next!
Read
April 6, 2021Loved this modern romance with benefits. I slowed down to savor the read.
November 6, 2023
Wine, enemies to lovers, hot alpha billionaire. You had me at wine. This book is so well written, banter for days and I don't even mind that it's book one of a trilogy. Normally I don't do them but I dove right into book 2!
March 24, 2023
First off, let me start by saying... holy steam! I mean that in a good way although, this may be one of the steamiest books I’ve ever read (this goes for the entire trilogy, not just this one). I love the dynamic between Elle and Josh; the banter, the chemistry, the sexual tension, and the stubbornness from both sides. Elle is such a great female MC, she’s a strong, intelligent, independent woman who knows what she wants but not necessarily what she needs. Josh is a hunky, wiz in his field and off the field. His parents and friends were such breaths of fresh air. The twist, although seemingly random, is pretty interesting, that’s all I’ll say about it.
February 12, 2025
Enemies to Lovers + small town vineyard = 💯
July 29, 2020
I love this book! Kelly is such a great story teller!
June 2, 2020
I picked up this book because I had just started following the author on Instagram, the cover suggested we might have a similar sense of humour, and she was having a free amazon ebook promotion. So, why not?
Pros: This is an entertaining book. I liked it! I'm glad I picked it up! I enjoyed the story (which is part one of a trilogy). I quite enjoyed the juxtaposition of the Asher relationship to the Josh relationship at the beginning. The characters were well drawn. The main characters were smart and strong-willed, which I enjoyed. The author painted the scenes with enough detail that I could picture them well. And the author is also quite good at writing steamy scenes. Quite good. Quite.
Cons : I'm not a fan of present tense for novels. It took a while to get used to it, but I did. The back cover blurb made me expect it was an enemies to lovers second chance romance where the first chance had happened a year or more before the book started. The "year" was wrong, as was the "before the book started". Also I was confused when the blurb said "Joshua" and the book started with "Asher". The book suffers from typos, occasional clarity issues, and "didn't it say something different a few pages ago" moments. Also, for a non KU reader in Canada, the second and third e-books are both over $7 CAD which is expensive for a new indie author.
In the end, I really enjoyed the book, though.
4/5 stars.
Misc. book details: First person, present tense narrative, multiple points of view, on Kindle Unlimited at the time of reading.
Pros: This is an entertaining book. I liked it! I'm glad I picked it up! I enjoyed the story (which is part one of a trilogy). I quite enjoyed the juxtaposition of the Asher relationship to the Josh relationship at the beginning. The characters were well drawn. The main characters were smart and strong-willed, which I enjoyed. The author painted the scenes with enough detail that I could picture them well. And the author is also quite good at writing steamy scenes. Quite good. Quite.
Cons : I'm not a fan of present tense for novels. It took a while to get used to it, but I did. The back cover blurb made me expect it was an enemies to lovers second chance romance where the first chance had happened a year or more before the book started. The "year" was wrong, as was the "before the book started". Also I was confused when the blurb said "Joshua" and the book started with "Asher". The book suffers from typos, occasional clarity issues, and "didn't it say something different a few pages ago" moments. Also, for a non KU reader in Canada, the second and third e-books are both over $7 CAD which is expensive for a new indie author.
In the end, I really enjoyed the book, though.
4/5 stars.
Misc. book details: First person, present tense narrative, multiple points of view, on Kindle Unlimited at the time of reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews