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Vino & Veritas #15
Limelight
Save the bees, ride a rock star.
Formerly famous . . . and planning to keep it that way.
After my band kicked me out, I ran away to Vermont, changed my name, and kept my head down. So far, it’s working and nobody knows who I am. Or who I was. Until I see geeky poet Caleb stumbling through his first open mic night and I can’t help rescuing him. He’s as sweet as the honey my bees make and sexy enough to make me rethink so many things. But I can’t tell him my secret, or I’ll lose the anonymous life I worked so hard to build.
Everyone warns me he’s too good to be true.
I can’t believe a gorgeous, successful winemaker like Tag is into shy, geeky little accountant me. But he helps me blossom and believe in my talent, and works his way into my heart and my bed… not necessarily in that order. I’m falling for a man for the first time, and now I know what the missing number in my equation has always been.
When lies are revealed, though, someone’s going to get stung . . .
Formerly famous . . . and planning to keep it that way.
After my band kicked me out, I ran away to Vermont, changed my name, and kept my head down. So far, it’s working and nobody knows who I am. Or who I was. Until I see geeky poet Caleb stumbling through his first open mic night and I can’t help rescuing him. He’s as sweet as the honey my bees make and sexy enough to make me rethink so many things. But I can’t tell him my secret, or I’ll lose the anonymous life I worked so hard to build.
Everyone warns me he’s too good to be true.
I can’t believe a gorgeous, successful winemaker like Tag is into shy, geeky little accountant me. But he helps me blossom and believe in my talent, and works his way into my heart and my bed… not necessarily in that order. I’m falling for a man for the first time, and now I know what the missing number in my equation has always been.
When lies are revealed, though, someone’s going to get stung . . .
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2021
155 people are currently reading
866 people want to read
About the author
E. Davies
130 books727 followersE. Davies writes feel-good, low-angst romance that never fades to black when the going gets good! Born in Canada, after 16 moves and counting, Ed has finally put down roots in north London.
He emerges from his writing nest to coo over fuzzy animals, flee from cute guys, dance through the streets with his chosen family, put together fierce looks, and—most of all—befriend local flowers.
Newsletter: edaviesbooks.com/subscribe
Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/edavies
He emerges from his writing nest to coo over fuzzy animals, flee from cute guys, dance through the streets with his chosen family, put together fierce looks, and—most of all—befriend local flowers.
Newsletter: edaviesbooks.com/subscribe
Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/edavies
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
July 14, 2021
*** I received an eArc from Heart Eyes Press in exchange for an honest review***
This was another solid addition to Vino & Veritas that features an adorably sweet couple: Tag and Caleb. This story perfectly depicts an opposite that attracts romance. Tag is a former member of a famous band and has successfully transitioned to a different life in Vermont, while Caleb is a shy and geeky accountant with a hidden poetic side. I love how Tag and Caleb meet at an open mic night at V&V, with a moment of pure vulnerability on Caleb's part.
Tag and Caleb's connection is instantaneous, with chemistry that leaps off the page. This was a fast-moving story that fits perfectly within this small town series and I greatly enjoyed this wonderful new addition.
This was another solid addition to Vino & Veritas that features an adorably sweet couple: Tag and Caleb. This story perfectly depicts an opposite that attracts romance. Tag is a former member of a famous band and has successfully transitioned to a different life in Vermont, while Caleb is a shy and geeky accountant with a hidden poetic side. I love how Tag and Caleb meet at an open mic night at V&V, with a moment of pure vulnerability on Caleb's part.
Tag and Caleb's connection is instantaneous, with chemistry that leaps off the page. This was a fast-moving story that fits perfectly within this small town series and I greatly enjoyed this wonderful new addition.
July 8, 2021
3.5*
This is another solid entry in the Vino & Veritas series and it's as sweet as the mead that Tag makes.
That's also one of the reasons why it didn't become a 4* read.
There's very little tension, in spite of the secret Tag is keeping, so the narrative felt like it was all running along at the same pace.
The other reason is the timescale they fall in love. I know people do meet and have whirlwind romances, but even so, this is fast.
There is a connection between them which is more than just sexual. Ed does well to get that over in the story, they just click.
Still, that's a me thing, it may not bother other readers.
Both characters are lovingly written, they're their own people, with very much distinct voices, and I liked them both.
Caleb is a bit of a cinnamon bun, he's the youngest of four brothers and he's maybe been over protected.
He's inexperienced in relationships and love, which is another reason for me not committing 100% on the timescale.
Not because I couldn't see him absolutely getting a crush, but because he has nothing to compare with.
That said, it's 'slow burn' ish within the time frame, with their smexy times hitting low steam levels until after they reunite.
There is a lovely, emotionally connected scene here which does demonstrate how they've built up a level of trust and intimacy.
Overall, a simple to read, not overly dramatic romance with a few of the usual gang showing up.
#ARC kindly received from the publisher Heart Eyes Press in return for an honest and unbiased review.
This is another solid entry in the Vino & Veritas series and it's as sweet as the mead that Tag makes.
That's also one of the reasons why it didn't become a 4* read.
There's very little tension, in spite of the secret Tag is keeping, so the narrative felt like it was all running along at the same pace.
The other reason is the timescale they fall in love. I know people do meet and have whirlwind romances, but even so, this is fast.
There is a connection between them which is more than just sexual. Ed does well to get that over in the story, they just click.
Still, that's a me thing, it may not bother other readers.
Both characters are lovingly written, they're their own people, with very much distinct voices, and I liked them both.
Caleb is a bit of a cinnamon bun, he's the youngest of four brothers and he's maybe been over protected.
He's inexperienced in relationships and love, which is another reason for me not committing 100% on the timescale.
Not because I couldn't see him absolutely getting a crush, but because he has nothing to compare with.
That said, it's 'slow burn' ish within the time frame, with their smexy times hitting low steam levels until after they reunite.
There is a lovely, emotionally connected scene here which does demonstrate how they've built up a level of trust and intimacy.
Overall, a simple to read, not overly dramatic romance with a few of the usual gang showing up.
#ARC kindly received from the publisher Heart Eyes Press in return for an honest and unbiased review.
August 14, 2021
NOPE.
I guess I'm in the minority here, but this was not a good read and so far is the worst book in the series.
The majority of this takes place over a week. Everything bar the final chapter/epilogue takes place over two weeks.
This story is honestly the definition of instalove. After three days of knowing each other, Tag is half hoping for a love confession from Caleb and wants to make him his boyfriend. After six days, they basically do confess their love to each other and I think this is when Caleb says that Tag is the one and he's known it since the moment they met.
Anyone else act like this with their partner? Nope? Just Tag and Caleb then.
I just couldn't believe the characters or their relationship. They didn't act like people in their late twenties, nor did they have any chemistry (for me). It's more like we were told rather than shown how good they were together, and this was pretty much through how turned on they made each other, and I guess Tag made Caleb a drink and a sandwich.
The main source of conflict was They're then miserable without each other but it all works out so good for them.
Good for people who did like this story and got enjoyment from it, but I didn't vibe with the premise, the characters, or their chemistry.
I guess I'm in the minority here, but this was not a good read and so far is the worst book in the series.
The majority of this takes place over a week. Everything bar the final chapter/epilogue takes place over two weeks.
This story is honestly the definition of instalove. After three days of knowing each other, Tag is half hoping for a love confession from Caleb and wants to make him his boyfriend. After six days, they basically do confess their love to each other and I think this is when Caleb says that Tag is the one and he's known it since the moment they met.
Anyone else act like this with their partner? Nope? Just Tag and Caleb then.
I just couldn't believe the characters or their relationship. They didn't act like people in their late twenties, nor did they have any chemistry (for me). It's more like we were told rather than shown how good they were together, and this was pretty much through how turned on they made each other, and I guess Tag made Caleb a drink and a sandwich.
The main source of conflict was They're then miserable without each other but it all works out so good for them.
Good for people who did like this story and got enjoyment from it, but I didn't vibe with the premise, the characters, or their chemistry.
July 27, 2021
I never read a book from E. Davies that I didn't like and it was the same with Limelight
I loved this book and Caleb and Tag are amazing together. More than hot steamy sex this book is all about love and trust...and a dog and bees
I really recommend this book
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I loved this book and Caleb and Tag are amazing together. More than hot steamy sex this book is all about love and trust...and a dog and bees
I really recommend this book
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
July 15, 2021
3,5⭐️
This is the first book I read by this author, and their writing worked just fine for me. Enough for me to be checking out more!
And even though the story was sweet and well written, and it definitely had the Vino&Veritas vibe that I enjoy so much about this series, it wasn't quite the winner I thought it would be after I read a few chapters, and that feeling usually bums me.
There were several things actually that made me rate this book 3,5 stars.
As to the things that worked for me: the writing, the setting, the characters. I liked Tag, he was sweet and patient and caring, and all he wanted was to be able to stay this anonymous guy making mead and living on a farm a little out of town. He wanted his past to stay where it belonged: in the past. He couldn't be proud of what he had achieved before he came to Burlington, because he didn't feel like he had been able to be true to himself, to be authentic, and he was mainly afraid for what people might think of him when they knew the truth. But what he did right now, making mead and living his quiet life, suited him more than the rough rockstar life he lead before.
As for Caleb, he was this innocent young man, grown up in a protective family, he liked his numbers and he liked to write poetry on the side, which he didn't take too seriously. There was only one thing missing in his life, and that was a partner. Someone to spend his life with, someone who loved him and someone he could love in return.
Both men were lonely.
And when they met, they saw something in each other. Something they recognized and were familiar with.
And so far, I was having a more than good feeling about this.
But then insta attraction turned into insta love. The whole story takes place in 2 weeks (except for the last chapter, which can be read as an epilogue), and I'm really sorry, but that's where I usually start to lose a bit of interest. Because I just have a hard time dealing with insta love. It's really not a trope I enjoy, and here it was really VERY insta! I didn't think it was obvious from the blurb, because if I'd known, chances were big I would have passed on this book.
I also did not like the overall presence of the dog. I love dogs, don't get me wrong, but not when they play a prominent role in the books I read.
BUT...even though I didn't believe in the insta love, even though I seem a bit negative in my above musings, in some ways I can't explain, I did like spending time with Tag and Caleb. Maybe it was the setting, maybe it were the characters on their own, maybe it was the engaging writing...Hard to explain, but I ended up liking the story more than I thought after finding out about the insta love.
Hence the 3,5 stars.
Still, I enjoy this series very much and I do look forward to read the next additions!
I received an ARC from the publisher Heart Eyes Press, and this is my honest review
This is the first book I read by this author, and their writing worked just fine for me. Enough for me to be checking out more!
And even though the story was sweet and well written, and it definitely had the Vino&Veritas vibe that I enjoy so much about this series, it wasn't quite the winner I thought it would be after I read a few chapters, and that feeling usually bums me.
There were several things actually that made me rate this book 3,5 stars.
As to the things that worked for me: the writing, the setting, the characters. I liked Tag, he was sweet and patient and caring, and all he wanted was to be able to stay this anonymous guy making mead and living on a farm a little out of town. He wanted his past to stay where it belonged: in the past. He couldn't be proud of what he had achieved before he came to Burlington, because he didn't feel like he had been able to be true to himself, to be authentic, and he was mainly afraid for what people might think of him when they knew the truth. But what he did right now, making mead and living his quiet life, suited him more than the rough rockstar life he lead before.
As for Caleb, he was this innocent young man, grown up in a protective family, he liked his numbers and he liked to write poetry on the side, which he didn't take too seriously. There was only one thing missing in his life, and that was a partner. Someone to spend his life with, someone who loved him and someone he could love in return.
Both men were lonely.
And when they met, they saw something in each other. Something they recognized and were familiar with.
And so far, I was having a more than good feeling about this.
But then insta attraction turned into insta love. The whole story takes place in 2 weeks (except for the last chapter, which can be read as an epilogue), and I'm really sorry, but that's where I usually start to lose a bit of interest. Because I just have a hard time dealing with insta love. It's really not a trope I enjoy, and here it was really VERY insta! I didn't think it was obvious from the blurb, because if I'd known, chances were big I would have passed on this book.
I also did not like the overall presence of the dog. I love dogs, don't get me wrong, but not when they play a prominent role in the books I read.
BUT...even though I didn't believe in the insta love, even though I seem a bit negative in my above musings, in some ways I can't explain, I did like spending time with Tag and Caleb. Maybe it was the setting, maybe it were the characters on their own, maybe it was the engaging writing...Hard to explain, but I ended up liking the story more than I thought after finding out about the insta love.
Hence the 3,5 stars.
Still, I enjoy this series very much and I do look forward to read the next additions!
I received an ARC from the publisher Heart Eyes Press, and this is my honest review
August 12, 2021
Caleb + Tag
Tag moved, or rather escaped to Vermont four years ago. He's now a pretty happy honey and mead maker. He's lonely, but he has his dog to keep him company.
Tag is born and raised Vermonter. He's an accountant and the youngest of four brothers.
He also dreams of being a professional poet - whatever that might mean.
Insta attraction for both our boys.
But of course it couldn't be as easy as that, right?
There might be some drama in the way of our happily ever after ...
LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN! ☺
═════════════════
Adorable!
Caleb and Tag are so cute! And so perfect for each other. I just loved their insta connection!
But of course we know that there will be some drama from Tag's past...
I hate drama - but we can't have our HEA after a couple of chapters! LOL!
I really enjoyed reading this!
I loved the dog! I need more doggies in books!
I didn't love love the drama part - it was so unnecessary. I don't even know why Caleb was mad - they knew each other for ONE week at the time... it was a bit silly, but it didn't take long to fix. I still really liked reading this!
And as I mentioned in every one of my World of True North reviews - I could read these kinds of books every day for the rest of eternity!
I also wouldn't mind seeing this whole world on Netflix one day!
Can't wait to get more Vermont soon!
LIMELIGHT was an adorable + sweet + honey-y + poetic M/M love story! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Tag + Caleb - they'll be sold out in no time!
💜
💜
August 3, 2023
A cute quick little story of a slightly innocent, young poet and an honest, handsome, recluse, secret hiding, mead maker. These two were made for one another, now all they had to do was trust one another with their pasts and keep it together. They marched to their own beat and decided for themselves what would make their relationship what each of them wanted and needed. Both are lonely...only finding each other through a luck of the draw happenstance. I wish Caleb would have stood up more for himself to his brothers and that Tag could have been brave enough to tell Caleb about his past. Overall...a short, sweet story with two lovable guys, some lovely little mead making bees and an over excitable beautiful dog, making it simply feel good and sweet.
August 13, 2021
Limelight was a sweet, fluffy, quick and easy read.
Caleb is an accountant with the dream of writing poetry. Tag ran away from his old life and started to make mead in Burligton. They meets at the open mic night at Vino and Veritas when Caleb reading his poems catch Tag's attention. They become inseparable from day one, but will Tag secret past ruin their relationship?
I've enjoyed to read Caleb and Tag's journey. I liked how Tag is always there for Caleb, supporting and cheering for him to become more confident and to live his dream as poet. Caleb is such a nice character, he is pure and it's inevitable to love him and to want to protect him.
I couldn't put this book down, E. Davies made a great job delivering a good story that put a smile on my face while reading it and made me fall in love with these characters.
Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.
October 26, 2023
I've givent this an A for narration and a D+ for content at Audiogals (I can't bring myself to give it more than 3 stars overall, despite GB's awesomeness!)
It’s no secret around here that I’ll listen to Greg Boudreaux read just about anything. He’s the main reason I picked up Limelight (the fifteenth book in the multi-authored Vino and Veritas series) – and having listened to and read several of the other books in the set, I believed the story in this one should at least be fairly decent. Oh, how wrong I was. Limelight is six-and-a-half hours of no story, ridiculously contrived (minimal) conflict, overblown and sentimental dialogue and instalove – and if I hadn’t been listening to it for review, I’d have DNF’d well before the halfway mark.
The story – such as it is – is this. Some years before it begins, Tag Campbell – aka the artist formerly known as Titus Taylor – was a member of a world famous, hugely successful rock band. But when creative differences led to his bandmates forcing him out (in a very public, unprofessional and hurtful way), he ran away to Vermont, changed his name, kept his head down, and for the past few years, has run a small farm near Burlington where he keeps bees and makes mead which he sells to, among other places, the Vino and Veritas wine bar. He’s just made a delivery there one evening and is about to head out when his eye is caught by a head of bright blond curls and the young man they belong to as he steps up to the microphone on stage.
Shy, geeky Caleb Holt is an accountant and would-be poet who has plucked up the courage to read some of his poetry at an open mic night at the V&V – but when it comes to it, he’s a bundle of nerves and almost gives up before he’s even begun. But then he sees the man in the crowd who seems to have eyes for nobody but him, and whose calm gaze helps him to shed his nerves and to make it through his spot.
There’s an instant attraction between the two – which I have no problem with, as that’s how attraction often works – and after the reading, they have a drink, they talk and enjoy each other’s company, and then make plans to meet up again soon. I liked that they don’t faff about here, they admit they like each other and want to see each other again – also all to the good. What isn’t good, though, is that after this, it’s just more of the same – cutesy dates in which two men in their mid-to-late twenties come off as two young teens in the throes of their first crush – and the incredibly saccharine sentiment that overflows right from the start made me feel as though I was being fed sugar coated in syrup dipped in honey. And don’t get me started on the horribly cheesy dialogue… (The combination of cheese and sugar isn’t a good one.)
Caleb is sweet and cute, the baby of a large family which can be a bit overbearing but who have his best interests at heart. Like Tag, he’s lonely and would like to find someone to spend his life with, so basically, they’re a match made in heaven and when they’re not together, are mooning over each other and thinking about how soon they can see each other again. They’re in luuurve before the week is out, (Caleb even says something along the lines of knowing Tag was The One the moment they met) but there’s no relationship development and they have zero chemistry, so nope, I wasn’t buying it. The book also includes “sex-scenes-by-numbers” in that they happen in a prescribed order; kissing and making out, individual jerk-off sessions while thinking about the other person, hand jobs, blow jobs, anal – oh, and Caleb is a virgin at the beginning, so there’s deflowering, too, all of it accompanied by more overly sentimental, sugary prose.
The conflict in the story is minimal, and is basically to do with the fact that Tag doesn’t tell Caleb the truth about who he is/used to be straight away, and of course, Caleb finds out by accident and is extremely upset by it. I wondered what the hell he was making such a fuss about; Tag is a decent guy, he makes a good living, he’s kind and considerate and obviously thinks the world of Caleb. Okay, maybe he should have said, “oh, by the way I used to be a rock star and trashed a few hotel rooms” – but he and Caleb have known each other for less than a week!, and it’s not exactly the sort of thing one might bring up on a first (or second) date. Plus, Tag has put the past behind him and wants to leave it there; he didn’t feel he was living his best or most authentic life back then, and worried about what people might think if they knew the truth, so he kept it quiet. I mean, it’s not as though he used to be a serial killer! And on top of Caleb’s outrage at the fact Tag LIED (he didn’t, not really), he goes on to assume something so utterly ridiculous that I could only roll my eyes at the dumbness of it.
Greg Boudreaux gives it his all, as he always does, providing distinct vocal characterisations for the two leads, differentiating clearly between all the characters in the story, and doing his utmost to breathe life into a couple of fairly flat principals and create a convincing connection between them. He manages the first pretty well – Tag’s deep, rich voice clearly marks him as a solid, dependable guy, Caleb’s higher-pitched, softer tones provide a nice contrast (and I appreciated that his lisp isn’t overdone) – but in the second he’s constantly hampered by the sickly-sweet, creaky dialogue and internal monologuing. And by the fact that the author hasn’t created one (a connection), either. His vocal acting is top-notch, and the emotions in the story are superbly realised; but even he can’t turn this one into anything other than it is – a weak story with bland principals and wince-inducing syrupy dialogue. Limelight is the weakest by far of the Vino and Veritas books I’ve read, and unless you’re on a mission to listen to absolutely everything Greg Boudreaux has ever recorded, I’d give it a very wide berth.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals.
It’s no secret around here that I’ll listen to Greg Boudreaux read just about anything. He’s the main reason I picked up Limelight (the fifteenth book in the multi-authored Vino and Veritas series) – and having listened to and read several of the other books in the set, I believed the story in this one should at least be fairly decent. Oh, how wrong I was. Limelight is six-and-a-half hours of no story, ridiculously contrived (minimal) conflict, overblown and sentimental dialogue and instalove – and if I hadn’t been listening to it for review, I’d have DNF’d well before the halfway mark.
The story – such as it is – is this. Some years before it begins, Tag Campbell – aka the artist formerly known as Titus Taylor – was a member of a world famous, hugely successful rock band. But when creative differences led to his bandmates forcing him out (in a very public, unprofessional and hurtful way), he ran away to Vermont, changed his name, kept his head down, and for the past few years, has run a small farm near Burlington where he keeps bees and makes mead which he sells to, among other places, the Vino and Veritas wine bar. He’s just made a delivery there one evening and is about to head out when his eye is caught by a head of bright blond curls and the young man they belong to as he steps up to the microphone on stage.
Shy, geeky Caleb Holt is an accountant and would-be poet who has plucked up the courage to read some of his poetry at an open mic night at the V&V – but when it comes to it, he’s a bundle of nerves and almost gives up before he’s even begun. But then he sees the man in the crowd who seems to have eyes for nobody but him, and whose calm gaze helps him to shed his nerves and to make it through his spot.
There’s an instant attraction between the two – which I have no problem with, as that’s how attraction often works – and after the reading, they have a drink, they talk and enjoy each other’s company, and then make plans to meet up again soon. I liked that they don’t faff about here, they admit they like each other and want to see each other again – also all to the good. What isn’t good, though, is that after this, it’s just more of the same – cutesy dates in which two men in their mid-to-late twenties come off as two young teens in the throes of their first crush – and the incredibly saccharine sentiment that overflows right from the start made me feel as though I was being fed sugar coated in syrup dipped in honey. And don’t get me started on the horribly cheesy dialogue… (The combination of cheese and sugar isn’t a good one.)
Caleb is sweet and cute, the baby of a large family which can be a bit overbearing but who have his best interests at heart. Like Tag, he’s lonely and would like to find someone to spend his life with, so basically, they’re a match made in heaven and when they’re not together, are mooning over each other and thinking about how soon they can see each other again. They’re in luuurve before the week is out, (Caleb even says something along the lines of knowing Tag was The One the moment they met) but there’s no relationship development and they have zero chemistry, so nope, I wasn’t buying it. The book also includes “sex-scenes-by-numbers” in that they happen in a prescribed order; kissing and making out, individual jerk-off sessions while thinking about the other person, hand jobs, blow jobs, anal – oh, and Caleb is a virgin at the beginning, so there’s deflowering, too, all of it accompanied by more overly sentimental, sugary prose.
The conflict in the story is minimal, and is basically to do with the fact that Tag doesn’t tell Caleb the truth about who he is/used to be straight away, and of course, Caleb finds out by accident and is extremely upset by it. I wondered what the hell he was making such a fuss about; Tag is a decent guy, he makes a good living, he’s kind and considerate and obviously thinks the world of Caleb. Okay, maybe he should have said, “oh, by the way I used to be a rock star and trashed a few hotel rooms” – but he and Caleb have known each other for less than a week!, and it’s not exactly the sort of thing one might bring up on a first (or second) date. Plus, Tag has put the past behind him and wants to leave it there; he didn’t feel he was living his best or most authentic life back then, and worried about what people might think if they knew the truth, so he kept it quiet. I mean, it’s not as though he used to be a serial killer! And on top of Caleb’s outrage at the fact Tag LIED (he didn’t, not really), he goes on to assume something so utterly ridiculous that I could only roll my eyes at the dumbness of it.
Greg Boudreaux gives it his all, as he always does, providing distinct vocal characterisations for the two leads, differentiating clearly between all the characters in the story, and doing his utmost to breathe life into a couple of fairly flat principals and create a convincing connection between them. He manages the first pretty well – Tag’s deep, rich voice clearly marks him as a solid, dependable guy, Caleb’s higher-pitched, softer tones provide a nice contrast (and I appreciated that his lisp isn’t overdone) – but in the second he’s constantly hampered by the sickly-sweet, creaky dialogue and internal monologuing. And by the fact that the author hasn’t created one (a connection), either. His vocal acting is top-notch, and the emotions in the story are superbly realised; but even he can’t turn this one into anything other than it is – a weak story with bland principals and wince-inducing syrupy dialogue. Limelight is the weakest by far of the Vino and Veritas books I’ve read, and unless you’re on a mission to listen to absolutely everything Greg Boudreaux has ever recorded, I’d give it a very wide berth.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals.
July 25, 2021
Caleb + Tag
Tag moved, or rather escaped to Vermont four years ago. He's now a pretty happy honey and mead maker. He's lonely, but he has his dog to keep him company.
Tag is born and raised Vermonter. He's an accountant and the youngest of four brothers.
He also dreams of being a professional poet - whatever that might mean.
Insta attraction for both our boys.
But of course it couldn't be as easy as that, right?
There might be some drama in the way of our happily ever after ...
LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN! ☺
══════════════════
Adorable!
Caleb and Tag are so cute! And so perfect for each other. I just loved their insta connection!
But of course we know that there will be some drama from Tag's past...
I hate drama - but we can't have our HEA after a couple of chapters! LOL!
I really enjoyed reading this!
I loved the dog! I need more doggies in books!
I didn't love love the drama part - it was so unnecessary. I don't even know why Caleb was mad - they knew each other for ONE week at the time... it was a bit silly, but it didn't take long to fix. I still really liked reading this!
And as I mentioned in every one of my World of True North reviews - I could read these kinds of books every day for the rest of eternity!
I also wouldn't mind seeing this whole world on Netflix one day!
Can't wait to get more Vermont soon!
LIMELIGHT was an adorable + sweet + honey-y + poetic M/M love story! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Tag + Caleb - they'll be sold out in no time!
💜
💜
July 26, 2021
Well that was adorable. I found myself smiling a lot.
Told in dual pov, Tag and Caleb have a great connection, my only concern being the timeline. Everything, aside from the epilogue, happens in the space of 2 weeks. So it's very insta-love, not a personal favourite of mine, but they were cute and I did enjoy it.
Works as a standalone
Told in dual pov, Tag and Caleb have a great connection, my only concern being the timeline. Everything, aside from the epilogue, happens in the space of 2 weeks. So it's very insta-love, not a personal favourite of mine, but they were cute and I did enjoy it.
Works as a standalone
September 4, 2021
This was kind of awful. I didn't feel a connection between Tag and Caleb. The instalove in like a week was ridiculous. Caleb getting mad that Tag didn't tell him he used to be famous... He doesn't know you yet!! That's not your business!! And Caleb's giggling was so random.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2021
Tag llego a Burlington para crear una nueva vida, escapar de una fama que lo tenia cansado y volver a ser real, y por eso se dedico a crear su negocio de hidromiel desde cero, y ya despues de cuatro años puede decir que vive de su negocio y no de lo que ganado con la banda, pero se siente solo. Una noche cuando va a realizar una entrega de hidromiel en Vino & Veritas, ve a un joven super-nervioso preparandose para recitar unos poemas, y decide ayudarlo un poco haciendole enfocarse solo en el, y desde ese momento sintio la conexion, queria conocerlo, tener una relacion con el, ayudarlo a superar su miedo. Pero Tag tiene miedo a que descubran quien es el y volver a tener que escapar de los reporteros y los paparazis, solo tiene que dar un salto de fe.
Caleb es el menor de 4 hermanos, el consentido de la familia, como contador su trabajo puede hacerlo solo, pero siempre le ha gustado escribir poesia, y su timidez le ha impedido compartirla con mas gente que su familia, pero esa noche en Vino & Veritas decide dar el paso, y cuando el hombre mas atractivo que ha visto en mucho tiempo, lo ayuda con sus nervios, decide dar el paso para conocerlo mejor, esperando que no salga espantado como todos los demas.
Tag debe aprender a confiar en Caleb con su secreto mas grande, pero Caleb tambien debe aprender a aceptar que la omision de Tag no fue por maldad sino por temor, para que la relacion entre ellos pueda funcionar.
El libro comenzo bastante bien, la historia de un rockero famoso destronado y huyendo de los escenarios, por razones que nadie sabe, y que ahora vive como un hermitaño fabricando hidromiel, conoce al chico timido que lo conquista desde la primer mirada, hasta ahi la historia prometia, y se que el libro es un intan-love, pero una semana? de verdad? la confianza tarda muchisimo mas en crearse, me van a decir que cualquier persona es capaz de confiar el secreto de su vida a alguien que solo ha conocido durante una semana? Esa fue la primera cosa que no me gusto.
Despues tienes a los hermanos, prometian ser tremendos personajes secundarios, apoyando, burlandose y divirtiendose a costa de los protas, pero a la hora de la verdad, ni siquiera las palabras de "sabiduria" de uno de ellos, fue lo suficiente para que se me gustaran mas. Y si a eso le agregamos la forma tan tonta que "descubrieron" a Tag? por favor!, pense que seria un fan, quizas uno de los de la banda, pero un "agente"?, no se...
Pero bueno, si obvias esos pequeños detalles en la trama, la historia es tierna, las escenas eroticas son bastante romanticas y bien llevadas, y la mayoria de los dialogos de los protas te hacen sonreir, asi que vale la pena la lectura.
Ya casi terminando esta serie, sigo encontrando diferentes estilos de los autores que me gustan y otros que no tanto, asi que con los ultimos 3 espero encontrar buenas sorpresas.
Caleb es el menor de 4 hermanos, el consentido de la familia, como contador su trabajo puede hacerlo solo, pero siempre le ha gustado escribir poesia, y su timidez le ha impedido compartirla con mas gente que su familia, pero esa noche en Vino & Veritas decide dar el paso, y cuando el hombre mas atractivo que ha visto en mucho tiempo, lo ayuda con sus nervios, decide dar el paso para conocerlo mejor, esperando que no salga espantado como todos los demas.
Tag debe aprender a confiar en Caleb con su secreto mas grande, pero Caleb tambien debe aprender a aceptar que la omision de Tag no fue por maldad sino por temor, para que la relacion entre ellos pueda funcionar.
El libro comenzo bastante bien, la historia de un rockero famoso destronado y huyendo de los escenarios, por razones que nadie sabe, y que ahora vive como un hermitaño fabricando hidromiel, conoce al chico timido que lo conquista desde la primer mirada, hasta ahi la historia prometia, y se que el libro es un intan-love, pero una semana? de verdad? la confianza tarda muchisimo mas en crearse, me van a decir que cualquier persona es capaz de confiar el secreto de su vida a alguien que solo ha conocido durante una semana? Esa fue la primera cosa que no me gusto.
Despues tienes a los hermanos, prometian ser tremendos personajes secundarios, apoyando, burlandose y divirtiendose a costa de los protas, pero a la hora de la verdad, ni siquiera las palabras de "sabiduria" de uno de ellos, fue lo suficiente para que se me gustaran mas. Y si a eso le agregamos la forma tan tonta que "descubrieron" a Tag? por favor!, pense que seria un fan, quizas uno de los de la banda, pero un "agente"?, no se...
Pero bueno, si obvias esos pequeños detalles en la trama, la historia es tierna, las escenas eroticas son bastante romanticas y bien llevadas, y la mayoria de los dialogos de los protas te hacen sonreir, asi que vale la pena la lectura.
Ya casi terminando esta serie, sigo encontrando diferentes estilos de los autores que me gustan y otros que no tanto, asi que con los ultimos 3 espero encontrar buenas sorpresas.
September 4, 2021
[2.5] let me preface this review by saying i genuinely enjoyed this author's writing style--it's expressive and flows and draws you in, no doubt about it. i will certainly be checking out their other stuff! the plot developments here, on the other hand.... let me jump right into it 😬
i'll give them their meet-cute because it was positively adorable (especially as someone with stage fright herself), but two major factors, which basically make up the meat of the story lol, tanked the experience for me: (1) the instalove factor and (2) the obligatory "omg how could you" conflict toward the end.
(1) this was the absolute fastest instalove i've read in a while. and when i mean fast, i mean having thoughts like "is this....love? 😳" after only spending time together for a single week, with half the time spent doing certain physical activities instead. enough said 😆
(2) ⚠️ spoilers about the conflict fast approaching!!! ⚠️
.
.
.
the whole conflict centers around Tag's hidden identity as a former member of this ultra popular band (which he parted with on not-so-good terms), and Tag spends a decent amount of time in his head deliberating when would be the right time to share this fact with Caleb.
but unfortunately, the Big Break Up scene happens when a third party reveals his identity to Caleb at the special poetry night at V&V (that he organized for Caleb as a show of support. mind you!). there must be some critical flaw somewhere in Caleb's brain circuitry, because somehow his thoughts immediately go to he must've been using this event as a career comeback! and then blames Tag for using him as a plaything ( "Deflowering a shy little virgin, making him think he's some big star, all the while neglecting to mention that he's this big shot." ). i was in shock, like what just happened in the span of a few pages??? if it sounds contrived here, try reading it for yourself 🤣
i wasn't a fan of how Tag berated himself for not telling Caleb everything sooner either. once again, they only knew each other for a week, i certainly wouldn't be revealing my secrets to someone i'd only known for that absurdly short period of time! as you can tell, the last few chapters did a number on my reading experience 😅
.
.
.
⚠️ end of spoilers!! ⚠️
ah well, it can't all be winners. good news is that i'm almost done with this series! we shall prevail!!
i'll give them their meet-cute because it was positively adorable (especially as someone with stage fright herself), but two major factors, which basically make up the meat of the story lol, tanked the experience for me: (1) the instalove factor and (2) the obligatory "omg how could you" conflict toward the end.
(1) this was the absolute fastest instalove i've read in a while. and when i mean fast, i mean having thoughts like "is this....love? 😳" after only spending time together for a single week, with half the time spent doing certain physical activities instead. enough said 😆
(2) ⚠️ spoilers about the conflict fast approaching!!! ⚠️
.
.
.
the whole conflict centers around Tag's hidden identity as a former member of this ultra popular band (which he parted with on not-so-good terms), and Tag spends a decent amount of time in his head deliberating when would be the right time to share this fact with Caleb.
but unfortunately, the Big Break Up scene happens when a third party reveals his identity to Caleb at the special poetry night at V&V (that he organized for Caleb as a show of support. mind you!). there must be some critical flaw somewhere in Caleb's brain circuitry, because somehow his thoughts immediately go to he must've been using this event as a career comeback! and then blames Tag for using him as a plaything ( "Deflowering a shy little virgin, making him think he's some big star, all the while neglecting to mention that he's this big shot." ). i was in shock, like what just happened in the span of a few pages??? if it sounds contrived here, try reading it for yourself 🤣
i wasn't a fan of how Tag berated himself for not telling Caleb everything sooner either. once again, they only knew each other for a week, i certainly wouldn't be revealing my secrets to someone i'd only known for that absurdly short period of time! as you can tell, the last few chapters did a number on my reading experience 😅
.
.
.
⚠️ end of spoilers!! ⚠️
ah well, it can't all be winners. good news is that i'm almost done with this series! we shall prevail!!
August 29, 2021
This was pure fluff with some great heat and I was so there for it. Especially after the stressful week I've had. I very much enjoyed being on this journey with Tag and Caleb, even though it was an extreme insta-love story. E. Davies does fluff so very well.
September 13, 2021
Reciting poetry in front of an audience - petrifying, and then, he's there, giving strength.
Their first night of talking feels like a terrific date. After the long conversation, a lunch date is set.
Tag, 29, owns a bee farm and "meadery."
He's tall, with dark eyes, a close beard, is strong and hunky, a handsome man. He's been in Vermont 4 years and is living his new life away from the limelight.
Caleb, 26, happy and bubbly, has golden curls,
scruff, and is a poet, a virgin and an accountant, from a big family. He's always been waiting for Mr. Right, and thinks he may have found him.
These two are good together as they begin dating, eating, hanging out, seeing the farm, poetry reading, dinner with the family, and more.
Queenie, Tag's chocolate Lab, loves Caleb.
Beginning sexy times are super hot and firsts for Caleb.
Tag doesn't tell Caleb about his past stardom, but it's only been 1-2 weeks. But of course, a pushy agent shows up and spills the secret.
The shock doesn't last long for Caleb, because as each man sorts out their deep thoughts and conclusions, love wins.
The epilogue is great fun.
ENJOY !
=====
Their first night of talking feels like a terrific date. After the long conversation, a lunch date is set.
Tag, 29, owns a bee farm and "meadery."
He's tall, with dark eyes, a close beard, is strong and hunky, a handsome man. He's been in Vermont 4 years and is living his new life away from the limelight.
Caleb, 26, happy and bubbly, has golden curls,
scruff, and is a poet, a virgin and an accountant, from a big family. He's always been waiting for Mr. Right, and thinks he may have found him.
These two are good together as they begin dating, eating, hanging out, seeing the farm, poetry reading, dinner with the family, and more.
Queenie, Tag's chocolate Lab, loves Caleb.
Beginning sexy times are super hot and firsts for Caleb.
Tag doesn't tell Caleb about his past stardom, but it's only been 1-2 weeks. But of course, a pushy agent shows up and spills the secret.
The shock doesn't last long for Caleb, because as each man sorts out their deep thoughts and conclusions, love wins.
The epilogue is great fun.
ENJOY !
=====
June 24, 2024
2.5/5 ⭐️
This was a very simple low-angst story. I think a lot of people would find this very cute, and I personally came out of this not loving it, or hating it. I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re starting to get a bit fatigued on this genre.
Aspects of this story were refreshing, such as we didn’t dwell on Tag’s animosity towards his former band mates, or Caleb’s somewhat strained relationship with one of his brothers. We didn’t have one of those cookie cutter narcissistic antagonists who interfere and steamroll all over our MCs…I definitely would’ve not had the patience for it in a story like this 😂. It had a very grounded and narrowed focus on their relationship, and that’s something I would’ve really appreciated…had I actually liked the pairing.
It was insta love, but not done well in my opinion. I didn’t feel the spark in their first meeting, and throughout the rest of the story something about their budding romance just felt off. So much of the narrative was just insisting to the audience that yes, Tag was very awed by Caleb. Yes, Tag found Caleb very cute. Yes, Caleb made Tag all bashful (for some reason). Most of the time it didn’t feel natural at all, the narrative TELLING us these things over and over quickly felt like the author was just spitting facts, as a result it wasn’t an immersive experience in the slightest. I didn’t buy that this is how the “worldly experienced rockstar/sheltered nerdy virgin” dynamic would play out. Repeatedly stating outright that these characters are head-over-heels infatuated with each other and that “it doesn’t matter that I’ve only known him a few days, it feels like I’ve known him forever,” doesn’t do a thing to help my suspension of disbelief.
Caleb as a character was another aspect of the story that just fell flat. A huge reason this pairing felt so ridiculous was the author went a little overboard in their portrayal of a sheltered small towner. It’s almost like the author, and even the audiobook narrator did everything they could to make Caleb feel 16 instead of 26. There were no corners of his life where he didn’t feel like the honest to god child in the room. Nothing about the typical life of an independent adult (which Caleb supposedly was) was emphasized at all. For goodness sake, the audiobook narrator gave naive little Caleb this very high nasally voice with a lisp, and it was all just too much 🤦♂️. The author had opportunities to balance things out with his office life as an accountant, and living on his own, but nope. Add in the fact that Tag actually came off like a full fledged adult, and these two just couldn’t have been more mismatched. It gave their relationship (especially the 🌶️ scenes) yet another layer of unsavoriness.
One last note: FFS why do authors do this thing where they give very little character description, or no description at all?! Caleb is described pretty well and he’s even the one on the cover, but our other MC Tag gets nothing?! I’m not one of those readers who can very easily give a face claim to characters, and in this case there’s nothing but a “scruffy jaw” and “dark eyes” to work with. Am I supposed to find a blank slate sexy? C’mon… 🤣
This was a very simple low-angst story. I think a lot of people would find this very cute, and I personally came out of this not loving it, or hating it. I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re starting to get a bit fatigued on this genre.
Aspects of this story were refreshing, such as we didn’t dwell on Tag’s animosity towards his former band mates, or Caleb’s somewhat strained relationship with one of his brothers. We didn’t have one of those cookie cutter narcissistic antagonists who interfere and steamroll all over our MCs…I definitely would’ve not had the patience for it in a story like this 😂. It had a very grounded and narrowed focus on their relationship, and that’s something I would’ve really appreciated…had I actually liked the pairing.
It was insta love, but not done well in my opinion. I didn’t feel the spark in their first meeting, and throughout the rest of the story something about their budding romance just felt off. So much of the narrative was just insisting to the audience that yes, Tag was very awed by Caleb. Yes, Tag found Caleb very cute. Yes, Caleb made Tag all bashful (for some reason). Most of the time it didn’t feel natural at all, the narrative TELLING us these things over and over quickly felt like the author was just spitting facts, as a result it wasn’t an immersive experience in the slightest. I didn’t buy that this is how the “worldly experienced rockstar/sheltered nerdy virgin” dynamic would play out. Repeatedly stating outright that these characters are head-over-heels infatuated with each other and that “it doesn’t matter that I’ve only known him a few days, it feels like I’ve known him forever,” doesn’t do a thing to help my suspension of disbelief.
Caleb as a character was another aspect of the story that just fell flat. A huge reason this pairing felt so ridiculous was the author went a little overboard in their portrayal of a sheltered small towner. It’s almost like the author, and even the audiobook narrator did everything they could to make Caleb feel 16 instead of 26. There were no corners of his life where he didn’t feel like the honest to god child in the room. Nothing about the typical life of an independent adult (which Caleb supposedly was) was emphasized at all. For goodness sake, the audiobook narrator gave naive little Caleb this very high nasally voice with a lisp, and it was all just too much 🤦♂️. The author had opportunities to balance things out with his office life as an accountant, and living on his own, but nope. Add in the fact that Tag actually came off like a full fledged adult, and these two just couldn’t have been more mismatched. It gave their relationship (especially the 🌶️ scenes) yet another layer of unsavoriness.
One last note: FFS why do authors do this thing where they give very little character description, or no description at all?! Caleb is described pretty well and he’s even the one on the cover, but our other MC Tag gets nothing?! I’m not one of those readers who can very easily give a face claim to characters, and in this case there’s nothing but a “scruffy jaw” and “dark eyes” to work with. Am I supposed to find a blank slate sexy? C’mon… 🤣
August 14, 2021
I binge-read the last five books of the Vino & Veritas series and although they weren’t all 5 star reads for me, it was a heck of an epic binge all around!
You guys … I really enjoyed this story, until I didn’t. *sigh* I love the choice the author made for their meet-cute, it fit them both perfectly. However, the conflict, that didn’t fit them so well. They’d only known each other a short period of time when *secrets* are revealed so the level of drama over said secrets felt way over the top and it stole a lot of shine for me. It just didn't fit the story as a whole, in my opinion, so I was disappointed. You never know what might trigger a reader into not enjoying a story and altho I can’t say I did not enjoy this story; the overly dramatic situation took a whole lot of shine away from it for me. It’s a rather easy story, aside from the OTT with likeable characters that for the most part fit really well. Like I said, I didn’t not like the story but my eyes rolled so … 3.5 but not enough for 4 stars!
You guys … I really enjoyed this story, until I didn’t. *sigh* I love the choice the author made for their meet-cute, it fit them both perfectly. However, the conflict, that didn’t fit them so well. They’d only known each other a short period of time when *secrets* are revealed so the level of drama over said secrets felt way over the top and it stole a lot of shine for me. It just didn't fit the story as a whole, in my opinion, so I was disappointed. You never know what might trigger a reader into not enjoying a story and altho I can’t say I did not enjoy this story; the overly dramatic situation took a whole lot of shine away from it for me. It’s a rather easy story, aside from the OTT with likeable characters that for the most part fit really well. Like I said, I didn’t not like the story but my eyes rolled so … 3.5 but not enough for 4 stars!
August 22, 2021
2.5 stars, rounding up - I wanted to like this more, but it was just so . . . much. Like, their meet cute was very cute, but then it dove straight into instalove and the only conflict was somehow both too simple and too convoluted? (Possibly the author thinking it wasn't enough, so adding flashback twists and turns into it?) The meadery stuff was interesting.
August 13, 2021
I hate instalove.
Sickly sweeter than honey.
Uneven series.
Sickly sweeter than honey.
Uneven series.
January 31, 2022
insta-everything - and that is not at all a bad thing, since it's exactly what I wanted when I picked it up, it just wasn't all that interesting or memorable.
May 22, 2023
20% in and I don’t even remember the names of the MCs. I heard someone say they’re head over heels for the other person around the 16% mark ffs 😭
DNF.
DNF.
December 4, 2022
This book takes place mainly over a week and so the drama seems pretty lame because it's only been a week. I really did like the way things were going even though they were going fast until the miscommunication that would've not happened if it was two hours later!
I hate when books have songs and poems written out in them, normally they mostly just mess up the flow for me. Caleb has at least three poems that he reads out loud in this book. All of them just make me cringe.
Greg Boudreaux narrated this book and that's pretty much the only reason why I finished it
I hate when books have songs and poems written out in them, normally they mostly just mess up the flow for me. Caleb has at least three poems that he reads out loud in this book. All of them just make me cringe.
Greg Boudreaux narrated this book and that's pretty much the only reason why I finished it
January 15, 2023
2.5 Stars
Meh. This just didn’t capture my attention. One of the narrators reminds me of Sponge Bob, so that was really distracting. It was just ok.
Meh. This just didn’t capture my attention. One of the narrators reminds me of Sponge Bob, so that was really distracting. It was just ok.
August 14, 2021
Limelight is book 15 in the Vino and Veritas series, a multi-author collection that is a spin-off from Sarina Bowen's True North World. Limelight was another great sampler of a ‘new to me’ author, and I can already hear my TBR list groaning with yet another author’s backlist to add to it!
Limelight is a relaxing, easy read. It's light, a little bit fluffy in the best of ways, and relatively angst or drama free. There is, of course, one section of angsty drama, but we readers knew what this was going to be about as soon as we read the blurb!
This is a feel-good romance with lovely characters and set in an established world that is already known and loved. A few cameos and references to past characters gives it that feeling of familiarity and makes it a comfortable experience. Part of the fun of this story was trying to pick where the dramatic event would take place; a few near misses had me holding my breath, but how it actually happened felt natural. The bit of angst that resulted spiced up the book's flow but didn't go on for too long that it became heavy. Instead, it wrapped up nicely, and our boys got the beautiful HEA they both deserved.
When I pick up a new author, I never really know what to expect, but I was happy to find that I really enjoyed E. Davies writing style and characterisation. Caleb and Tag were lovely characters. They both had their insecurities, but both their strengths and weaknesses complemented each other. Davies' writing had a natural rhythm to it. The dialogue was engaging, the humour leaving me with a smile, and the story itself kept me turning the pages. The romance was strong with this one, with both boys giving the other what they needed. There were also a few steamy moments, although these were not gratuitous. Instead, they were intimate, acting to enhance the story and move it forward.
Limelight is a book I will happily add to my collection. I really enjoyed this light, feel-good romance. As both Caleb and Tag were such lovely characters, it certainly wasn't a hardship to keep turning the pages to ensure they'd get their happy ending.
If you are looking for a light low drama romance with gorgeous characters set in a beautiful (I'd love to live there) world, you certainly can't go wrong with picking up a copy of Limelight.
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June 7, 2022
Started promising then a whole lot of nope for me. Instalove central - everything happens in a week. Unnecessary conflict which is one of my pet peeves. It was also just a bit too romantically twee for my tastes. Some will love it for all of the reasons I didn’t!
May 23, 2024
As always, I love coming back to my V&V friends. This book was fun, but it was just missing a little something for me. I enjoyed Caleb and how he was kind of dramatic, funny, and unapologetically himself. I liked that Tag was confident and kind. I felt like things did move a little fast though. I mean, all of this in one week? It seemed a little dramatic. However, it was fun to watch Caleb fall in love for the first time and I loved how Tag was so infatuated. I liked their dates and watching them fall in love and I loved the ending - so cute! I really enjoyed Caleb's internal monologue and his family. 2/5 spice levels
Notes: relationship with a secret, secret identity, secret past, virgin MC, small town, V&V universe, supportive family
Notes: relationship with a secret, secret identity, secret past, virgin MC, small town, V&V universe, supportive family
August 12, 2021
Limelight is part of the Vino and Veritas series, set in Sarina Bowen’s World of True North. It can be read as a standalone, and it fits right in with the rest of the books in the series.
I enjoyed the writing and the characters. Tag and Caleb are very likeable and sweet, in their own way. I think the setting works really well for the story and it’s very Vermonty. It blends really well with the spirit of the series, with a great combination of rural and city living, and the Vino and Veritas wine bar slash bookstore.
My problem with this book comes basically from the conflict between Tag and Caleb. They meet in a very cute and original way, but their relationship develops pretty fast. You can feel the connection between them, but maybe I’m not that into insta-love. Tag is keeping his past secret and Caleb is coming out of his shell. But then Tag’s past comes to light, and chaos ensues. I wish there could have been a little more depth to the story, it felt a little too focused on only one thing.
In any case, it is a sweet and steamy love story that is well written and fits right in in this Vermonty paradise we call avino and Veritas. I recommend reading it if you enjoy all things World of True North. The vibe and the atmosphere is great.
I enjoyed the writing and the characters. Tag and Caleb are very likeable and sweet, in their own way. I think the setting works really well for the story and it’s very Vermonty. It blends really well with the spirit of the series, with a great combination of rural and city living, and the Vino and Veritas wine bar slash bookstore.
My problem with this book comes basically from the conflict between Tag and Caleb. They meet in a very cute and original way, but their relationship develops pretty fast. You can feel the connection between them, but maybe I’m not that into insta-love. Tag is keeping his past secret and Caleb is coming out of his shell. But then Tag’s past comes to light, and chaos ensues. I wish there could have been a little more depth to the story, it felt a little too focused on only one thing.
In any case, it is a sweet and steamy love story that is well written and fits right in in this Vermonty paradise we call avino and Veritas. I recommend reading it if you enjoy all things World of True North. The vibe and the atmosphere is great.
October 5, 2021
Vino and Veritas #15
When I started this I was for sure this was going to be a five star read. While this wasn’t bad by any means, I just did not feel the connection to this as I thought I would. Mainly, I found myself thinking “this would never happen in real life”. Tag is a rockstar turned beekeeper living a completely solitary life in Vermont and no one…recognizes him? At all? It just seems odd that no one in the town knows he was a chart topping musician. Caleb is cute, an accountant by day- a wannabe poet by night.their meet and subsequent romance felt off at times, and the codependency happens reallllyyy early on, but I still wasn’t completely turned off by it. Tag really is into Caleb and vice versa so I wasn’t that mad at it. I totally get why Tag wanted to keep his former life a secret, and I feel Caleb’s reaction was unwarranted. I liked Caleb up until that scene. Because again, This happens over the span of like a week. Yes, you’re boyfriends, but I feel the dramatics about Tag “not telling him the truth” was extreme. The story redeemed itself with the returning cast of characters from previous books, but I wasn’t as sold on this one as previous entries.
When I started this I was for sure this was going to be a five star read. While this wasn’t bad by any means, I just did not feel the connection to this as I thought I would. Mainly, I found myself thinking “this would never happen in real life”. Tag is a rockstar turned beekeeper living a completely solitary life in Vermont and no one…recognizes him? At all? It just seems odd that no one in the town knows he was a chart topping musician. Caleb is cute, an accountant by day- a wannabe poet by night.their meet and subsequent romance felt off at times, and the codependency happens reallllyyy early on, but I still wasn’t completely turned off by it. Tag really is into Caleb and vice versa so I wasn’t that mad at it. I totally get why Tag wanted to keep his former life a secret, and I feel Caleb’s reaction was unwarranted. I liked Caleb up until that scene. Because again, This happens over the span of like a week. Yes, you’re boyfriends, but I feel the dramatics about Tag “not telling him the truth” was extreme. The story redeemed itself with the returning cast of characters from previous books, but I wasn’t as sold on this one as previous entries.
July 31, 2021
2 stars
Honestly, this one was just sweet. The sweet virgin wanting to be loved for who he is among the family pressure. The sweet mead maker with a famous past only wanting to be left alone.
And when they meet, boom, epic love instantly. Dates every day, and the entire book basically takes places in 2 weeks, from meeting to love to break up to reunion. And that was a bit much for my taste.
Also, really the only problem is Tag's past being a secret. Which then is revealed and it being a secret kept is the problem, but how it impacted his life, we don't really actually get to see or hear about. It was all just flowing along, if you are dating yourself, this is what you want, everyone is open, loves wholeheartedly, and there are no problems. Until there are, and then there aren't. It was all a bit surface level with real issues underneath, but they just melted away, so it didn't make me rush to read more, it was just.. gone. and happy. Yay. Or not.
Honestly, this one was just sweet. The sweet virgin wanting to be loved for who he is among the family pressure. The sweet mead maker with a famous past only wanting to be left alone.
And when they meet, boom, epic love instantly. Dates every day, and the entire book basically takes places in 2 weeks, from meeting to love to break up to reunion. And that was a bit much for my taste.
Also, really the only problem is Tag's past being a secret. Which then is revealed and it being a secret kept is the problem, but how it impacted his life, we don't really actually get to see or hear about. It was all just flowing along, if you are dating yourself, this is what you want, everyone is open, loves wholeheartedly, and there are no problems. Until there are, and then there aren't. It was all a bit surface level with real issues underneath, but they just melted away, so it didn't make me rush to read more, it was just.. gone. and happy. Yay. Or not.
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